Lest we forget

[Pussy]

I just wish to offer my gratitude and respect to past and present New Zealand and Australian service men and women

[White trash]

Right with you John, so many sacrificed everything so we could enjoy our current quality of life.

They should always be remembered.

[ynot slow]

Pretty awseome programme on TV3 at the moment till noon.

Mum had 6 uncles go to war 1940 ish and all came back lucky,another family had 4 go and none came back all from small towns in the Naki,bloody lucky,shame we realise the sacrifices made when they die later on,and families find old diaries etc.

Shows how stupid we have come when people complain about eskimo lollies and golliwogs in shops,and changing names .

[yungatart]

I got up early, picked up Speights_bud and we went off to the dawn Parade.
it was good to see so many young people and families there.

It was a rather strange experience for me as I always go with hXc. However he is going to Anxzac commemorations with the NZ and Australian High Commissions in Belgium and will be laying a wreath at Ypres.

Ynot slow, my mother's 6 brothers all went off to WW2 and returned, as did my father's brother and brother-in-law. My family was truly one of the lucky ones. All but one of my uncles are dead now....I go to the dawn parade as mark of respect to them!

[Murray]

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them!!

We will remember them!!!

[Mully]

Shows how stupid we have come when people complain about eskimo lollies and golliwogs in shops,and changing names .

+1. Puts all the PC bullshit in perspective, doesn't it.

[Boob Johnson]

Least we forget alright!

I'm the custodian of my family medals, having them put into a proper cabinet as we speak :grouphug:

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Anzac day means a helluva lot more to me than Waitangi Day. Forget the treaty bullshit,its ancient history. This is when NZ develped it's identity.

["D" FZ1]

Went to the Dawn Parade with one of my Daughters this morning. Always a moving experience.

[avgas]

they stopped it being a holiday here, and were thinking of stopping boxing day.
So happy to be coming home to NZ.

[Trudes]

Most beautiful dawn here in Wellington. I decided not to go down and fight the crowds this morning, instead stood outside and watched the amazing colours coming up over the hills in the still still morning and had a quiet 5 minutes of reflection in solitude. Lest we forget.

[nudemetalz]

I went to the dawn parade. A moving experience as usual.

What was amazing was the Iroquois flying over low at 5.30am with no lights on. It was a real spectacle as people were looking all over the place to see where it was coming from. Reminded me of the Vietnam war books I've read where the VC could hear the Hueys coming but didn't know where from as they were that low and the huge noise was echoing everywhere.

We will never forget....

[Trumpess]

Least we forget alright!

I'm the custodian of my family medals, having them put into a proper cabinet as we speak :grouphug:


Make sure you keep those medals safe Boob!
I have a "Mother's Medal" and am always paranoid about losing it.

Tis a very special day!

[Indiana_Jones]

<img src="http://www3.hants.gov.uk/poppyfield.jpg">


Lest we forget.

-Indy

[Genestho]

John.
Respect to the brave soldiers who have fought for democracy - as we know it.

I sat down with my oldest this morning and explained why we wear our poppies.
Explained and showed the old photos of his Great GrandDad serving out of Italy - who made it back, never to speak of it again... to be proud of our NZ History...be proud of who we are, because we are, who we are partly because of these selfless people, and the horror's they endured.

As we know, there's not alot of these orginal war veterans around, and in a short time, they will dissapear completely.

My way to ensure "we" never forget, and to respect our past, is to pass the stories onto my sons.
Respect also to our current service people...

[Boob Johnson]

Make sure you keep those medals safe Boob!
I have a "Mother's Medal" and am always paranoid about losing it.

Tis a very special day!
I sure do, they are locked away. WW1 & WW2 medals, a pocket bible that went through WW1 & WW2 with one of my Grandad & my Great Uncle. Also have a photo taken on the 4th of May 1945, a picture of the signing of the surrender of the German army taking place, one of my Grandad's (who is still alive), a D-Day veteran, snuck under the tent & stood beside the cameraman as the picture was taken :laugh:


My great Grandfather served in 3 wars!!! The Boar war, WW1 & WW2!!!


We don't full appreciate how lucky this last few generations have had it!!!

[Maha]

Courage-Honour-Sacrafice.

[ynot slow]

Courage-Honour-Sacrafice.

Sacrifice alright,very strange watching the casualties showing up with various battles,also the guys from Malaya,Korea and Vietnam,bloody great programming from Oliver Driver and guests,riveting.Should be shown in schools as part of our history along with maori to keep it all pc.

WW1 and 2 definately made us who we are,cut the strings from England.

[FJRider]

I attended the parade in Alexandra this morning. The numbers attending grow each year. The lament when the wreaths are laid, always brings a lump in my throat. The Last Post... followed by Reveille...does the same now. Whenever I hear it.

To those servicemen that never made it home ... I thank you.

[Maha]

Yeah Tony
TV3 did a great job on the Air Command.

Love the story of the fighter pilot who disabled a german plane, then flew along side him, close enough to eyeball him, watch him eject and turn to fly straight him as he parachuted down. Pulled away at the last minuet and waved at him...bastard didnt wave back.

[GazzaRuney]

It makes me prouder every year that Anzac Day is commemorated by Kiwi's of all ages, religions and races etc and that attendances grow and grow every year.

It also makes me proud and humble that men like my grandfather sacrificed so much that we could live the life we now do.

Go Kiwis!!!

[Oakie]

I can't find the words to describe my thoughts on this day. A mixture of sadness and pride but then despair at the waste of so many good men on all sides.

I'm looking forward to taking my grandaughter to her first ANZAC Day service when she's old enough to understand so she can attend with proper respect.

[Boob Johnson]

If any of you want to watch one of the most amazing stories to emerge from WW2 or quite possibly any war for that matter. Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear did a show called "The Greatest Raid Of All Time". Easily the BEST doco I have ever seen on any WW2 action, simply breath taking! And that's from someone who has read & watched an awful lot on the subject!


If anyone wants a copy PM me :niceone:

[Mom]

I went out to Leigh and played Last Post and Revellie for them at their commeration. The weather is apalling and they decided to hold it in the community hall and not at the war memorial as usual. Really different playing inside.

They played a song called "100 Years of Heroes" by Tony Williams. Lovely tribute song. Have tried in vain to find it to link up.

We will remember them.

[Highlander]

Often thought ANZAC day does more to pull us together as a Nation than Waitangi day ever did.

:niceone: for those who got up and faced the less than fantastic weather for Dawn services.

:2thumbsup for those who put their life on the line to protect our way of life.

[banditrider]

Got to take in 2 services today: Dawn Parade here in Palmy and then surprisingly on riding into Pongaroa at about 12, their service was just kicking off. Our group of 6 parked up to take in the service before continuing our ride.

Honored to be at both services.

[martybabe]

WW1 and 2 definately made us who we are,cut the strings from England.

I hear ya mate but the strings not the bonds.

My uncle used to tell me of the great people he'd met in a WW2 prison camp, people from places he'd barely heard of but people just like him, fighting and suffering for us all to have a better tomorrow.He admitted having to ask where a Kiwi came from but he never ever forgot.

There are people from all over the world that will never forget the friends and allies that were and still are the ANZACS.

A song for all the lost of all the nations

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Bless em all.

[MyGSXF]

My oldest son Jess, went to the dawn parade in Richmond with his Grandad (my Dad).

Dad was wearing my Grandad's WWII medals:

General Service Suez Canal Zone (1951-55)
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/GsmCanalZone.htm

Long Service & Good Conduct (received after serving min 18 years)
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/lsandgcmarmy.htm


Meritorious Service Medal (for exceptional service)
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/Msm.htm

Grandad served for 9 years before WWII in Egypt, China & India 1920's. Gloucester Regiment Royal Engineers

Plus he wore: my Great Grandad's Boer War medals:

Queens South Africa medal 1900

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/9402/queenssouthafricamedalinfo.html

& Kings South Africa Medal (George 5th, 1901-2)

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/kings_south_africa_1902.htm

plus: 7 bars (for different provinces & battles)

Great Grandad was badly wounded in South Africa, so was not fit to fight in WWII. He was a Grenadier guard & died a Chelsea Pensioner in the Royal Hospital Chelsea (age 84ish).. with the shrapnel from the Boer War.. still in his back!!

I honor you Grandad & Great Grandad

RIP

[Indiana_Jones]

Listened to the last post today, and even though I'm not a Kiwi by birth, it still brought a tear to my eye.

Though not 100% ANZAC we honoour them today with a drink and a war flick with some of the service rifles out.

My great grandfather served as a trench runner for all 4 years of great war, RIP to all who served to protect our freedom.

-Indy

[MidnightMike]

Unfortunatley I didnt get to the dawn service at the Mount, mainly because I had work that morning. (Wont be making that mistake again.)

I did get there eventually though, I was only one other person there at the time, it was starting to rain and the poppies were blowing down the stairs of the Cenotaph.

A photograph, my tribute;

Lest we Forget....

[Mom]

Listened to the last post today, and even though I'm not a Kiwi by birth, it still brought a tear to my eye.-Indy

The words:

Come home
Come home
The last post is sounding for you to hear
All good soldiers know very well there is nothing to fear
While what they do is right, and forget, all the worries they have met, in their duties through the year
A soldier can not always be great
But he can be a gentle man and he can be a right good pal
To his comrades in his squad
So all you soldiers listen to this
Deal fair by all and you'll never be amiss
Be brave
Be brave
Be honest and true men.

The Last Post was played at the end of the day to call soldiers to rest.

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[portokiwi]

Went to the Dawn parade yesterday, It felt good to be where I first joined the service. Brought back many thoughts from working overseas. :(

[FJRider]

Last Post was played at the end of the day to call soldiers to rest.



And still is in most Army camps...

[Fatt Max]

Myself, Mrs Max & Mini Max did the dawn service yesterday, very humbling and emotional experience. It always impresses me as an ex pat pommie in NZ as to how the NZ'rs support and honour the fallen, from the very old to the very young. Another reason as to why I feel both proud and PRIVILEDGED to be living here.

On a side issue, I had a very heated conversation with some idiot on Friday who proceeded to tell me how innappropriate the ANZAC celebrations are, beacuse they 'promote killing, celebrate death and are nothing more than a gathering of war mongers intent on telling the world how proud they feel to have taken a life' (I memorised the words that came out of this idiots mouth and I still feel sick typing them now).

I reminded him that these guys gave him the freedom he has now to speak his mind without fear of persecution etc etc, but this tosser just continued to spout off about how bad the ANZAC celebrations are.

He also went on to say how he is in a movment that intend to disrupt the dawn parades in future and hold demonstrations outside RSA's to protest against the pro war 'philosphy' that RSA's promote......:angry2:

It was at that point that I smaked this bastard square in the jaw and told him to fuck off back to whatever hole he had crawled out of. I'm not proud of that action and I suppose I played squarley into his grubby hands, but I could not let that go.

People like him personify the PC and extremeist society we are living in. I hope and pray that they never get to carry out these protests as I am sure it would mean an increase in hospital numbers as good honest NZ'ers deal to these arseholes.

Enough about this bastard, yesterday is about thouse who made the ultimate sacrifice that allowed me as one to live in this gods own country of which I am immensley proud and humbled.

God bless them, lest we forget

[Mom]

It always impresses me as an ex pat pommie in NZ as to how the NZ'rs support and honour the fallen, from the very old to the very young.

Nice!

ANZAC Day has always been a big day for me, when I was a Brownie I went and marched in my home town parade. As a teen I played in a band that marched and provided music for the ANZAC services. I think I was 14 when I first played the Last Post (very nerve wracking). I dont think I have missed too many services in the past 40 years. Now I play every year at a small community service in a town close by. I also get asked to play at RSA members funerals from time to time. It is my privelege and honour to do it.

My kids have been taken to services since they were little too. This year was extra special. My son rode up from Auckland, arrived here just before midnight Friday. He got up and went to the dawn service here in town, came back home and went back to bed. Got up at nine and came with me to my service at Leigh. He is 22 and needs no encouragement to do that.

At Leigh, every year I get tears in my eyes as the young kids take part, by laying flowers at the memorial an by singing at the lunch afterwards.

[pete376403]

It was at that point that I smaked this bastard square in the jaw and told him to fuck off back to whatever hole he had crawled out of. I'm not proud of that action and I suppose I played squarley into his grubby hands, but I could not let that go.

Thanks for taking that unfortunately necessary action.

[98tls]

Heard on the news today some scumbuckets ripped off some poppy money,incredible eh,no respect at all.Nothing but filth.

[Fatt Max]

Heard on the news today some scumbuckets ripped off some poppy money,incredible eh,no respect at all.Nothing but filth.

Yeah thats right. That was the RSA in the Waitakere's somewhere. The bastards robbed the safe while the members were at the service. Heard that a load of other RSA's are clubbing in to make up the stolen funds, good on em for that.

[98tls]

Yeah thats right. That was the RSA in the Waitakere's somewhere. The bastards robbed the safe while the members were at the service. Heard that a load of other RSA's are clubbing in to make up the stolen funds, good on em for that. Disgusting eh,a sign of the times methinks.If the old soldiers could see this country now.

[Mom]

Heard on the news today some scumbuckets ripped off some poppy money,incredible eh,no respect at all.Nothing but filth.

No respect! Disgraceful and low behaviour. No honour either, very sad to hear about.

[Lissa]

I didnt do the dawn parade this year, as I was away. I usually go with my dad but this year he wasnt too well so he couldnt go either. I did however spend the day thinking about the scracifices these brave people induled.

I have a copy of my Grandads "Great War" certificate of services on my wall at home to remind me everyday just not on Anzac day. He spent one year and 57 days overseas during the war, and its really not that much to ask to get up early one day a year to remember them, and if he hadnt of survived the war I wouldnt be here today.

[Swoop]

Respect for all those who fell, in all of the wars.


It was at that point that I smaked this bastard square in the jaw and told him to fuck off back to whatever hole he had crawled out of.
Thank you Max.
Exactly what that "person" needed.

[Pussy]

Jaxi sent me this photo from Gallipoli that her and her hubby took.
Very poignant

[kevfromcoro]

Went to Kanchaburi in thailand

bridge over the river kwai......
the whole place is just filled with grave sites.....
so sad...
all those people died for no reason................