ANZAC'S

Here Here , well said Bob ,, when we look around , i just wish there were a lot more who thought along these lines , there seems to be far to much rot creeping into our values these days ..

Neil ..

I'm with you on this Bob. We should all remember what our digger's have given us. Unfortunately a lot of people don't give a rats.
Like you I was also moved as I watched the ANZAC service at Kokoda( Don't tell the missus that I had tears). My Grandfather was an Army Sargeant in the second world war and I walked with him and 2 of his mates (only 3 left in their group) in Sydney a couple of years ago and was hoping to get back down there this year. It was an emotional experience and one that I will never forget.

To all our Servicemen and Women, past and present, We thank You for your sacrifice.

Greg S

I went to our local service this morning and it was packed. Not a parking spot for blocks in any direction. I have not missed this service in 19 years and I'm only 26. I remember it was quite a small service only as far back as 5 years ago.
I am very happy that it is gaining popularity with the community.

Always a very big day in Birdsville. Very emotional day for me - the more so the older I get. Both my Grandfathers were at Gallipoli and badly wounded, my Mother was Navy during WWII and my father was in Changi as a prisoner-of-war. I am so pleased to see the huge increase in participation by the general public each year and in the last few years the Queensland Education Dept. has been (again) teaching the primary children about he meaning of Anzac. We have 10 children in our school (this year) but every year the children read the Remembrance Prayer at our Service after the March. This year we have 20 Army personnel from the Oakey Army Aviation Base to perform special duties as our Old Soldier on the top of our Memorial is to be Dedicated by "Sully, the Desert Fox", - Ron O'Sullivan, former 2/9th POW (Germany).
(Later today they play two-up still).

Lest we forget......

Agree entirely. I often wonder however why this deep appreciation of what our sailors, soldiers and airmen/women have done and continue to do is not translated into sufficient numbers of young people turning up at recruiting offices and commiting to a couple or more years of service. After doing 32 years in the Navy, I can certainly affirm that the work is always interesting, the training is nothing short of outstanding and the friendships are for a lifetime. If you have a young person in your family can I recommend that you discuss a career in one of the Services.....it's not for everyone but it certainly worth considering in the context of what one would like to do with the rest of their lives.

Cheers
Pete

I watched a bit of the service from Kokoda, Kochie did us proud... I can't go to the services or march ... I just get to emotional & overwhelmed. My Grandson wanted to see my medals this morning, even that bought tears to my eyes. Trouble is it (ANZAC Day) is being used now as a means of gaining commercial advantage and the pollies love it. Heard a girl on the radio the other day bemoaning the fact that the RSL had carte blanche and she was "upset" that they did not see the "tourism" potential...I think she may have missed the point of the day.
Knocks my socks of though to see so many of you who are not Veterans expressing such valued thoughts...

Agree entirely Bob. A debt we can never repay. Good to see so many of the younger generation taking a real interest. Without their participation it will lose a lot of it's significance.

Regards

My first ANZAC day here in Nanango and what a nice surprise, lots of people at the dawn service and heaps more at the parade. They evan had the ADF there a mixed group of Army, Navy and Air Force on parade, they looked great and at the end of the ceremony an F1 11 blasted over head. Being an ex digger may me feel real proud.
Cheers Bruce

ZUKSCOOTERX90.
One of my ambitions is to attend a dawn service at Gallipoli. It would be a very moving experience. My dad served in New Guinea. Totally concur with all sentiment expressed above.
Cheers,
Bros.

We had Dave and Tammy follow us today in their L/C taking the back way to O'Reillys national park via Duck Creek Road.. Felt bad as we drove past an army truck and jeep of veterans who had broken down, they had it under control, but I felt so bad for them and hoped they wouldn't missed their reunion get together.

Jo

I don't miss the local service, I make sure my kids join me, the sounding of the last post always triggers emotions.

Lest we forget

Brett

We were travelling through Avoca this morning and decided to stop and attend the service. Was great to see the local attendance at a healthy level with lots of kids there. As it is held in the main street, it was dissapointing to see others passing through town without slowing down and some seemed to even be speeding up the street. They planted a pine tree from a decendant of the famous tree at Lone Pine having lost the previous one to the drought.
Long Live the memory of the ANZACS

Spent the weekend with a group of friends at Davies Plain Hut.

One of the blokes had come prepared with a telescopic flag pole and the appropriate tracks recorded and did a very moving dawn service at about -2 deg C in the High Country. One I'll remember for the rest of my life.

It's worth remembering what they all have done for us. Distant Past to recent past.

Dave

My Grandfather fought in Europe during WW1 .
You don't realise how tough it was till you read the military records.
He spent half the time he was over there in hospitals wounded or terribly ill.
He died in 1973 when i was 10 and i can still remember the limp from where one leg was shorter than the other after nearly having it blown off and the breathing problems he had from being gassed.
He was lucky he lived to have a family , some paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We owe a huge debt to our service men and women.
We wouldn't have the lifestyle we have today if it weren't for their heroic efforts.
Strange coincidence was one of his doctors carried the same surname that one of his daughters married. It was my mother.

Lest we forget

well,

good to see a better response here than was given last year. was very disheartened indeed at the lack of comment to the sole ANZAC posting.

Post ID 22304

lest we forget.