Anzac Day

[Mom]

What does it mean for you?

Yes I know this has been done to death on here (so no smart arse repost comments please) there are new members that may not have had the opportunity to comment, and others on here that may like to share how they feel too.

I have just polished my cornet, and had a quick refresh of Last Post and Revellie before I go and play tomorrow at a service to commemorate Anzac day, and the men that lost their lives at Gallipolli. For me the day is more than that though, it gives me a chance to remember all our service personal that have lost their lives in the line of duty no matter where they served.

The Last Post is a powerful tune that can bring me to tears if I listen to it, I play it so I can make people cry. I will post the words to the tune later.

It is also a day off work. A time to breathe deeply and relax with our friends and family.

So what is ANZAC DAY for you?

[Laava]

Having been to Anzac Cove and met some local turks, getting both sides of the story; Anzac Day is a commemoration of how a few very stupid decisions can ruin many peoples lives with no gains and how grateful I am that our current govt refuses to ally themselves with the US oil protection war in Iraq. Not that I am anti fighting for your country but here is 2 good examples of how bad it can get with Anzac being close to the bone for most Kiwis

[kevfromcoro]

just think about my old man..he served in the army at this time.told me many stories...was away for 5 yrs.....must of been hard times ...good to see we have a day for these people who served our country.....

[Jantar]

I have many days that remind me of the sacrifice that our soldiers have made for our freedoms. Anzac day is the most important one, as it commemerates a battle that we lost, but in losing that battle we also lost the cream of an entire generation.

From that disaster, our country came back to be a great and respected country that has a reputation far outweighing our size. I was raised to have a feeling of pride in what our soldiers in all wars have done and the heroism they have shown.

It makes me realize how far our current government will go to change our perceptions and remove that same feeling of pride from today's young people.

I shall be attending the Anzac Parade tomorrow.

[MIXONE]

I've got an old brass trumpet that was given to me a few years ago when the Old Soldier who owned it died.I can't believe that nobody in his family realised what it is and what it represents.This horn had gone through Europe with him during WW2 and had played The Last Post for many an Old Soldier including my father in the years since.If there is ever a song that will bring me to tears you'll be playing it tomorrow.Big ups for remembering and caring.

[ynot slow]

Shit still remember the words from my scout days,sombre words.Lest we forget.We have a relatively free land because of guys giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Remember my mum saying as a girl when ww2 was on(born 1941),she said her family had 4 brothers(her uncles)fight in europe,4 came back in one piece,not sure emotionally.Then she said her friend had her dad and 2 uncles go to europe and none returned,very poingant and so bloody sad.Especially in a small Taranaki town,similar to all small towns.

[Terminated]

Thank you Mom for your post.


it gives me a chance to remember all our service personal that have lost their lives in the line of duty no matter where they served.



In remembering those that did not return, and those that did return and are no longer with us.


Grandfather - mother's side: Australian Army Gallipoli and France.
Grandfather - father's side: United States Navy
Uncle - mother's side WWII Australian Army Africa and New Guinea
Uncle - mother's side WWII Royal Australian Air Force South West Pacific
Uncle - mother's side Australian Army Korea
Father - United States Army WWII South West Pacific and Leyte Gulf
Father in Law - WWII Royal Navy
Me - Royal Australian Navy troop transport Vietnam

All posts this thread respectfully acknowledged.

We Will Remember Them.

Lest We Forget

[Mom]

I've got an old brass trumpet that was given to me a few years ago when the Old Soldier who owned it died.I can't believe that nobody in his family realised what it is and what it represents.This horn had gone through Europe with him during WW2 and had played The Last Post for many an Old Soldier including my father in the years since.If there is ever a song that will bring me to tears you'll be playing it tomorrow.Big ups for remembering and caring.

Wow! That is so amazing! Give it in trust to the muesum mate, it is so precious. I first played Last Post in public about 1974. I guess back then I really had no idea about what had happened at ANZAC Cove, I was a teenager after all.

I would love to play it on a bugle, that gives a much rounder sound, maybe one day!

The best thing about playing on ANZAC day for me is the after wards, having a few with the oldtimers and hearing their stories. Sadly there are fewer and fewer now to talk to. I have played for the past 8 or 9 years at the Leigh service ( I am fondly known as the Leigh Horn Blower :o) It is sad to see the lovelies missing each year. I play at their funerals when asked.

[Mom]

Then she said her friend had her dad and 2 uncles go to europe and none returned,very poingant and so bloody sad.Especially in a small Taranaki town,similar to all small towns.

We have a small town close by that has a statue of King George as their war memorial. Vandals take great delight in decapitating the poor thing. It gets repaired and re-dedicated. I was privilleged to be asked to play at a re-dedication. I read the names on that memorial and felt so sad. It really did core out the community.

[Finn]

Being a stickler for detail, I've always thought it quite odd that people get up at the crack of dawn to remember the ANZACS when in fact, due to the time difference, it happened later in the afternoon.

It also means that for some reason I have to pay time and a half for staff that work on ANZAC day. This Government should treat our veterans better, not young people willing to work.

[Lucy]

I love hearing the bugle or cornet playing the Last Post, and the other poignant tunes, but Anzac day makes me angry for the useless waste of time and life that is War.

And the fact that people seem to go mental because they cannot shop before 1pm makes me sad too.

Sorry.

Lucy

[Marknz]

We Will Remember Them

[Pussy]

Just been to dawn service. Lest we forget...

[Nasty]

This day I remember those who have gone before and are now lost forever ... I remember that decisions made affect many ... and that life is not fair .. it never was ....

This day I take great faith in that we will have learnt from the decisions in the past .. and know how to apply those learnings to decisions in the future.

This day I take time to remember those who are now in uniform .. and may one day have to face the same.

[riffer]

Good service in Upper Hutt this morning. Lovely and warm weather which makes a change for sure. There would have to have been a good 10,000 people there and very good to see all the crowds gathered on the footpaths applauding the veterans and soldiers as we all marched past.

A good start to the day - and the fallen were well remembered. My kids' great-great-great uncle (Cyril Bassett (http://www.birkenheadrsa.com/vc-cyril-bassett.html)) would have been proud of them.

Bacon, eggs and hash browns are cooking as I type. :)

[Wasp27]

This day I remember those who have gone before and are now lost forever ... I remember that decisions made affect many ... and that life is not fair .. it never was ....

This day I take great faith in that we will have learnt from the decisions in the past .. and know how to apply those learnings to decisions in the future.

This day I take time to remember those who are now in uniform .. and may one day have to face the same.

+1....well said Kari

[Wingnut]

Went to the dawn service this morning. Even in small town NZ there was a great turnout. Good to see it popularity on the increase.

[NighthawkNZ]

So what is ANZAC DAY for you?

Being Ex-Navy it wasn’t that difficult to talk me into actually going to a dawn parade. Getting up early to wander down to Queens Gardens here in Dunedin expecting it to be cool and frosty it was surprisingly warm.

A crowd of around 5000 had already gathered and the ceremony proceeded to start. A brief history lesson, the wreath laying, a 3 gun Salute and "The Last Post" played, every time I hear it I get that lump in my throat, as they bought the flags’ to half mast and a moments silence to remember the fallen, the ones that never made it home, the soldiers, sailors, and airmen that gave the ultimate price to protect what we now believe in and hold dearly today, our freedom.

ANZAC Day a day of remembrance of the fallen but also a day of hope.

NZ have at present around 750 defence service personal servicing in hot spots around the world trying to keep the peace.

Seeing the shadow of the solider cast against the memorial with the wreaths below says it all really

Lest we forget
Nighthawk

Is it not strange after the smoke clears and you see the fallen soldiers, that the Generals are no where to be seen...

[Grub]

I'm very happy with the result of this photo at the Wellington Cenotaph. The tradition, the attendance, the young people - it all shows we still know how to respect and honour.

<img src =http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/thumbs/Anzac_5235.jpg></img> (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/6757/ppuser/9129)

[Number One]

Growing up as an army brat ANZAC day was always an important one on our calendar that never went without attendance at the dawn parades.

As a kid I remember it meant that I had to get up early, stand in the cold looking solomn and then everyone would go back to the officers mess to chat, catch-up with old friends the adults would all get pissed, eat heaps of food and the kids would be entertained with this that or the other.

Now as an adult I recognise how very lucky I was to not lose my daddy to any of the exercises that he soldiered in and I feel sad for the losses incurred by other unlucky families.

The last post is poignant and always puts a lump in my throat. If there was one tune I'd like to be able to play on a trumpet or cornet - that'd be it.

Now I have to admit that I enjoy the opportunity to sleep in but it is a very thoughtful day and I look forward to teaching my son what it all means.

Rest in peace soldiers and military men - we will remember

arohanui

[Highlander]

To Quote Winston Churchill: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."


(Lump in throat)

[skidMark]

It is a day to think really isn't it.

A day to remember the fallen.

The sacrifice they made was the ultimate one.

Many of us take life for granted, these guys didn't have much of a choice. They went, and chances were they were not coming home, life is short, you never know what the next day will bring. Make the most of it.

They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them


Lest we forget.

[firefighter]

Also a good day to have a drink and listen to the old fellas stories........:apint::rolleyes:

[skidMark]

Also a good day to have a drink and listen to the old fellas stories........:apint::rolleyes:

I don't quite get what the eye roll was implying. I hope you don't mean it in a disrespectful way.

[Manxman]

Being a stickler for detail, I've always thought it quite odd that people get up at the crack of dawn to remember the ANZACS when in fact, due to the time difference, it happened later in the afternoon.

Yup, you're right. However, it starts at 6am to represent the exact time they went over the top.

That's prolly the most poignant thing for me...knowing that at a time when we're standing there all wrapped up in warm stuff and cup of coffee in hand, thousands of kiwis (just like you or me) were preparing to engage in mortal hand to hand combat - and 300 or so died by the time you and I were going back to bed to catch up on the lost sleep...

[skidMark]

I'm very happy with the result of this photo at the Wellington Cenotaph. The tradition, the attendance, the young people - it all shows we still know how to respect and honour.


That is one hell of a photo mate.

Top work.

[LilSel]

My grandma was a nurse in the wars, she passed away one year ago. Granddad was also in the wars. I think of them at Anzac day & the sacrifice that was made by the brave soliders.