Lest we forget

[Boob Johnson]

I have attended an ANZAC Service every year since I was 7 or so. These days I attend a very special community service in Leigh at the cemetry and War Memorial. I play the Last Post. It is just a little something I can do to make old men cry. Well, it is not just the old men actually. I cant listen to it at all while I play or else I get overwhelmed too. It really is an honour to do it. I get asked to play at funeral services too for my old mates, very humbling.

That's awesome Mom. We had someone come play the last post at my Grandads funeral last year, real tear jerker! He landed at Utah beach on D-Day.


Lest we forget!

[oldrider]

Heck you nailed that in one. I am also proud of my English heritage. My grandfather was English and fought at the Somme, his brother fought at Gallipoli. My father was in the RNZAF WW2 and was seconded to the RAF, radar technician and commissioned.
But I also have a bit of a cynical view of the English at times. I can remember going through immigration at Heathrow a couple of years or so back and being in a slow moving line of ''aliens''. Im watching the fast track EU line inclusive of Germans getting through rather quickly. And Im thinking hang on, weve helped you English out in a couple of world wars and we had the highest attrition rate per capita of any allied trops in our service to King and commonwealth. And in my opinion our greatest war hero was not Freyberg ( he was a failure ) but Sir Keith Park who made all the calls about where the RAF was to respond to the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. And in recognition of all that we get treated like lepers....But dont get me wrong, we need more English immigrants in preference to those that are abusing the system.

That same thing happened to my last remaining maternal Uncle and his English wife!

They both served in the RAF/RNZAF in the battle of Britain and when they went "home" for their last visit to relatives in UK. (both in their 80's)

They were treated so badly, entering the country, that they turned around and flew back home!

They were very disappointed and badly shaken up by the time they got back here.

[crazyhorse]

Lest we forget........ I have attended a few over the years, but if I do not make it then I enjoy watching it on TV. mostly through sky as I enjoy how it is done in Australia and here.

Such a shame about the accident...... now that will be on our minds too each ANZAC day. RIP

[Grubber]

What a great thread. Bringing every one back to earth.
My Dad was in Guadacanal with the infantry. It wasn't until his last years he finally spoke of the shit they went through.
I now have no right to say i have had a bad day.
Nothing we shall do in our lives as civiliians, with very few exceptions, will even be remotely close to the shite they endured to give us our freedom.
Lest we Forget....

[nudemetalz]

It just never stops
A soldier killed today on a motorcycle near Linton.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3622...-military-camp

[kevfromcoro]

It just never stops
A soldier killed today on a motorcycle near Linton.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3622...-military-camp

Christ.. thats no good.
4 military people killed over this weekend......
Sad.......................................

[gijoe1313]

When I was in uni a long time ago, did a research report about the lives of people during those torrid days. The stories that were shared with me I have always remembered, plus the fact they were so opened about it. Our family has a very good relationship with the local RSA and I was able to draw upon them for their experiences.

Some were so hair raising, I wondered how they could bear to repeat them again. From serving soldiers to nurses, I learned a little of what they went through. They were certainly made of sterner stuff back then.

[Toaster]

I have attended an ANZAC Service every year since I was 7 or so.

So you have been 19 times Anne? Nice!

[Mom]

So you have been 19 times Anne? Nice!

You need glasses

About 19 times plus a couple of 10s of years and a few after that more like it

[Bald Eagle]

What a great thread. Bringing every one back to earth.
My Dad was in Guadacanal with the infantry. It wasn't until his last years he finally spoke of the shit they went through.
I now have no right to say i have had a bad day.
Nothing we shall do in our lives as civiliians, with very few exceptions, will even be remotely close to the shite they endured to give us our freedom.
Lest we Forget....

Inadequate bling awarded