Anzac day Centenary

Oldenginerod Sat Apr 25, 2015 1:51 am

While our US friends have their Veterans' day, today Australia & New Zealand celebrate a very special ANZAC (Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) Day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day
One hundred years ago today our first troops landed on the beaches of the Galipoli Peninsula in Turkey. While it was a tragic defeat after months of fighting and many thousands dead, this battle is cemented in the Aussie (and Kiwi) psyche as a defining moment in our histories. Many speak of the "Spirit of ANZAC" which was very evident today in every Aussie country town & city as well as in Turkey and on the French "western front". The battle, strangely, forged an enduring bond between our countries, even having been enemies. Today we were put on high allert of potential terrorist attack, with a number of radicals in Melbourne & London arrested in recent days for plotting to publicly kill & behead Police & Service personel today at ANZAC commemorations. Numbers of people honouring our "Diggers" were greater than ever before despite the threat, proving that we're not going to be held to ransome by a bunch of radical & inhuman idiots.
So today I salute those who 100 years ago fought, and particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of decent people.
"Lest we Forget".

Proud Rod.

akjgardner Sat Apr 25, 2015 5:18 am

HAPPY ANZAC DAY

Marleysky Sat Apr 25, 2015 7:17 am

Yes Sir, remember the fallen. To those who gave their lives for country and freedom.

I am following their tradition:

One of the traditions of Anzac Day is the 'gunfire breakfast' (coffee with rum added) which occurs shortly after many dawn ceremonies, and recalls the 'breakfast' taken by many soldiers before facing battle.

getback Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:33 am

Yes HAPPY ANZAC DAY , It is always good to remember the people who lost there life's over battles to try and change things for the better . It's just a shame it has to be done that way

fredvon4 Sat Apr 25, 2015 4:00 pm

Rod

As a former USA soldier I really , I do mean REALLY!!!, appreciate every little bit of history I acquire about each of the comrades I had the distinct fortune to serve with.

In this case, my time at Operational Test Command ((OTC)). Testing US Army acquisition tools/ammo/software/ etc... for our soldiers to use.

OTC has a strong relationship with the Canadian and Australian military

Learning a bit of the history is very much welcome and I am glad you posted this bit

Happy ANZAC day to you sir!

Oldenginerod Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:09 am

Thanks Fred and others. While I can't trace any of my ancestors to the battle at Gallipoli, it almost feels like every Australian has a link to what is now sacred ground. In WW1 the fallen were not brought home but buried there. There is a large memorial and war cemetery at Gallipoli and the Turkish govenment has been very welcoming and co-operative over the years in preserving the area as a sacred site. Many thousands of Australians travelled there for the dawn service as well as to Villers-Bretonneux in France, where over 10,000 were killed in the Battle of the Somme. There is also an enormous memorial there and the whole town has "adopted" Australia, naming streets, schools and public buildings after Australian places & features.

Anzac Day has become more personal to me since losing my brother (Flight Lieutenant in the RAAF) in a flying accident a few years ago. Along with the death of my Mom (worked for the Red Cross in her youth) a couple of weeks ago it was an emotional time for me. While war is never good, it is good to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of many who have fought for our freedom. God Bless them all.

Rod.

p.s. Well done to admin. for finding the ANZAC DAY

. I looked for one and couldn't find one.

dinsdale Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:33 am

Well said Rod and others. I'm ex Ozzie serviceman too, and my old Dad (93 and now living with my wife and I) is a WWII vet. We live in Albany, West Oz, which is the town/port where the departing ANZACs last saw Oz before arriving at ANZAC Cove, as it is now known. Many great Ozzie legends were born with the ANZACs, not the least of which was the distilling of the Ozzie character. It's SO so encouraging to see the younger generations taking hold of the ANZAC story.

Our town usually boasts a population 36,000, but predictions were for up to 100,000 visitors for the dawn service and other celebrations yesterday. Think of the logistical nightmare of quadrupling a town's population for a long weekend. Alas, this was one ANZAC day for which I stayed home.