Lest We Forget

iceman (Mike) · #1 25-04-2007, 02:13 PM

Spent a couple of hours this morning in at Gosford watching the march go through and then up at the memorial for a service.

It's been raining non-stop for 2 days but it actually stopped raining between 9:30am and 12pm, the time we were there. Very lucky. Would've been terrible in the rain, there wouldn't have been half as many people.

Was great to see the ol' diggers marching. My son Jacob is in Cub Scouts, and there were marching too.

Really makes you think about what they went through in the wars. Lest We Forget.

Dennis · #2 25-04-2007, 02:27 PM

Remembrance of their sacrifice, and the on going sacrifice of those who continue to serve, helps remind me of how lucky I am to have the liberty to write even these few words, in a Country blessed by freedom through their selfless endeavour.

Lest we forget

Dennis

xelasnave · #3 25-04-2007, 03:05 PM

Its good to see people can embrace the day and not bring in anti war issues.

The day goes past war ..it goes to the very heart of what we are and see of ourselves as a nation..but thats ones persons view.. the V war took away from it for a while.

I remember playing in the brass band at Junee in the marches, all those military and marching songs..It was such an emotional thing.. the band and the day, being inside the music was over powering.
As a boy being able to be there when the men got together after.. I was in uniform so must have been OK I guess.. but you would hear things that you never forget... things they probably would never have mentioned if not for the day and the beer and the company who shared the common past.
Some brave things but also sad things.

But it finally is about men doing the best they can for their friends and putting them before themselves.
alex

John Saunders · #4 25-04-2007, 06:17 PM

My wife teaches at the local Primary School and being a military officer, I have done the ANZAC things at her school over the past two years. This year I spoke to the school assembly...here is some of what I said...and, yes, I m passionate about it all! Being an Army chaplain (in training at the moment) we see a lot of the problems that deployments throw up for the military members and their families. So, I challenged the kids at Jan's school to remember on ANZAC Day for four reasons...

We remember for four reasons.

Firstly, we remember because we call to mind the 102,000 names on the poster behind me of Australians who went to fight and were killed in the line of duty. These men and women paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy today – they gave their lives. They are worth remembering.

Secondly, we remember because we call to mind the tens of thousands of Australians who fought in those wars and did come home again – many wounded in their bodies and many in their minds. These men and women, like the men behind me today, answered the call and chose or were required to through national service to put themselves in harms way to protect their nation, their homes and their families. They are worth remembering.

Thirdly, we remember because we call to mind those Australian men and women serving today in the Navy, Army and Air Force around the world in Timor, the Solomons, Sinai, Afghanistan, and Iraq. They are far from their friends and families and again putting themselves in harms way, this time to not only protect our nation but to help other nations who are struggling to live lives as good as we do here in this country. They are worth remembering.

Finally, we remember because we call to mind the stupidity of war – the needless killing of other people; people who are just like us with mums and dads, brothers and sisters. As long as there are leaders of nations who think they can get their own way by using armed force we need to have a Defence Force, but ANZAC Day reminds us as people of the world to continue to work for peace and for the day when the last rifle, bomb or bullet is made. This is worth remembering.

Cheers,

John.

DobDobDob (Ron) · #5 25-04-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Saunders

Being an Army chaplain (in training at the moment)

John.

Oop's does that mean I can't swear when replying to your posts

mojo (Terry) · #6 25-04-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Saunders

Finally, we remember because we call to mind the stupidity of war – the needless killing of other people;

I agree with them all but especially the last.
Nice post, John.

John Saunders · #7 25-04-2007, 07:49 PM

Wouldn't worry about it Ron. The blokes (and I might add ladies as well) in some of the units I have been in swear...well, like troopers...because they are just that.

Nothing like a few well chosen words of exhortation by the Company Sergeant Major or the Drill Sergeant at RMC to get you up and going in the morning.

John

DobDobDob (Ron) · #8 25-04-2007, 07:57 PM

Phew....that's a relief

xelasnave · #9 25-04-2007, 09:23 PM

Wonderful words John.
alex

duncan · #10 25-04-2007, 09:31 PM

Well i got a phone call last night to see if i'd drive a car today. Taking some diggers around for the march and i did it willingly. I actually felt quite privelidged to do this for them. And i'm 47, not some 20 year old. Then i went and played bowls with some of them! What a great day!!!

dwyman · #11 26-04-2007, 10:04 AM

As an American Vietnam Veteran I would like to extend a thank you and Salute to the brave Aussie lads who have served in so many conflicts around the world. Some of them served with us in Vietnam and I was very proud to have them with us.

ving (David) · #12 26-04-2007, 10:47 AM

on both monday and tuesday we had clients come into work (library) and with the staff a "happy anzac holiday"... i think they missed the point.

John Saunders · #13 26-04-2007, 11:21 AM

Good on you Duncan. I'm sure it meant a lot to the ex-servies.

Did they want "to have a beer with Duncan" after the bowls?

John

duncan · #14 26-04-2007, 05:23 PM

Yep they did and we all did (perhaps just one or two too many)LOL.

avandonk · #15 26-04-2007, 07:15 PM

A bit from my old mate's song

Eric Bogle

The suffering the sorrow the glory the shame the killing the dying it was all done in vain
for William McBride It all happened again and again and again and again and again (repeat depending on what year it is)

Did they beat the drum slowly did they sound the fife lowly did the rifles fire o'er you as they lowered you down
Did the the bugle sing the the last post and chorus did the pipes play the fleur in the forest.......

When old (their prostate is bigger than their brain) men in power stop sending their best young to die uselessly and then these same people are trading happily a few years later with the enemy (you can be shot in time of war for trading with the enemy) I will deign to take up arms to defend their wealth!

Remember there are only two sins Hypocrisy and Ignorance

These same two sins are happening now!

Ask any veteran how many promises were kept!

This is happening now and will also apply to our current forces deployed overseas.

I will watch carefully.

List of standard excuses.
1. It was not an official war zone.
2. You were outside the three mile limit (Navy)
3. and it goes on

The thing that rankles with me these men gave everything, only to be told when and if they came back by some twit that they did not meet the criteria.

Bert