Lest we forget

[Gone Burger]

I know that feeling mate,

I have been in NZ for 12 years and attended my first dawn parade last year. It really is a moving experience.

We all bang on about how hard life can be especially as young 'uns. You see these late teen / early 20 YO's around town, especially in the corporate environment, basically wanting everything on a plate and prepared to kick the shite out of anyone to get it (not physically of course, they have no balls) I'm talking about the sorts who think The Apprentice is their goal in life.

Then you look at the dawn parade and the guys there who, rather than dodge questions in the boardroom, were dodging fucking bullets at that age so these go getters of today have the freedom to fuck people over.

I know times and society has changed but you have to give these guys who made so many sacrifices for us the respect they are due.

Good on you for sharing that emotion, it hit me the same way. Made me proud to be English and proude to be living here

Very well said Max. I myself am only mid 20's and just wish I had understood the importance of this sooner. I had many oppertunities as a younger girl to get up and support, watch my grandfather march in the Auckland service with his medals, and I never took it up. Will never stop regretting that. He was my absolute hero in disguise, and I am thankful that I told him just that on many occasions. But yes, I will be there next year, and every year for many years to come to continue to show this respect for all of the men and women involed.

I am just rather saddened by the thought that in 10 or so years time, we many not have any Vets still living, and that generation and what they believed in, will never be replaced.

[Fatt Max]

Very well said Max. I myself am only mid 20's and just wish I had understood the importance of this sooner. I had many oppertunities as a younger girl to get up and support, watch my grandfather march in the Auckland service with his medals, and I never took it up. Will never stop regretting that. He was my absolute hero in disguise, and I am thankful that I told him just that on many occasions. But yes, I will be there next year, and every year for many years to come to continue to show this respect for all of the men and women involed.

I am just rather saddened by the thought that in 10 or so years time, we many not have any Vets still living, and that generation and what they believed in, will never be replaced.

You told him he was your hero and that is the important thing mate. I never got the chance as I never met my mothers father and my grandfather on my dads side passed away when I was very young. Never regret this stuff, just remember, thats the main thing.

My rant about 20 somethings is aimed at those greedy little pigs in the corporate world. Those pigs are the sort that run DHB budgets and cut the services to our older generation to save a few bucks. The sort of piggies who pissed peoples life savings up the wall and landed all of us in the shit, especially those who fought for their country all those years ago. Those bastards that treat our old as if they were children, simply no respect. All they respect is the $. Well, noone is going to wake at dawn to remember those bastards....

Nice on Katiepie, great post and thanks for sharing........

Love the 'pie' bit as well

[mashman]

My Grandad married my Grandma just before he went away. She was illigitimate, his family were known in the community... kinda shattered a lot of peoples illusions... he returned and they never left each others sides again... he never left me with a dry eye, through tale or jest... stunning man, my wife ADORED him...but he never went to any rememberance... always felt it was just left, were it was, as a bad memory...

Lest we forget

[Bass]

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.

Ann, that's awesome.
You really are full of surprises, aren't you?

[=cJ=]

Bloody last post, gets me every time

[Fatt Max]

Ann, that's awsome.
You really are full of surprises, aren't you?

Amazing.......real legend

[scissorhands]

I wish my country had sent me off to a war, especially with bright generals for leaders. Not! Imagine someone like General Nick Smith calling the shots.

Maximum respect for our men and women who gave their lives, gave all they had for their country.

[ynot slow]

My mums uncle is 90yrs and still spritely,he is in the RSA and held many posts,he is the last of her dads brothers from Manaia,a shame people didn't talk about there experiences til later in life,rather than glorify the war,it shows our respect for their efforts.

Watched an item on maori tv this morning about college students heading to France etc,they researched old boys who went to war,found their graves and placed memorials on them,the families talking about their uncles,fathers etc was poignant to say the least,bloody good doco.

And to think some people are pissed at not being able to shop till 1.00pm,ffs get a life.

[oldrider]

My respect and thanks to the ANZACs.
We will remember them

Ditto.

They also serve, who stand and wait!.......Winston Churchill.

Lest we forget!

[Fatt Max]

Just been to the 11am service in Howick at Stockade Hill.

So many people there with kids enjoying the sunshine and just giving up some of their time to remember those that sacrified so much for us.

Watching the vets march proudly in line and perfect formation to the top of the hill was inspiring. They were dignified and proud but you could see tinges of sadness in their eyes, no doubt thinking of their old mates who never came back.

Got a lump in my throat as the crowd clapped these guys in, a great tribute. So funny that the clapping stopped very abruptly when that facking Pansy Wong walked past with a smile on her face like she was on an election campaign. Once she and her cronies had gone past, the applause started up again. I personally was happy that she got tossed a blank as I delivered a lump of coal to her last November. Always make a point of slowing down past her office on Chapel road and give it the fingers. I'm not pro or anti any political party, but she has her own agenda and it stinks, what the fuck was she trying to do today other than make her own statement.

Phew, rant over on that one. Once again, a very moving ceremony and tribute. I know I have posted a fair bit up here about this but I feel strongly about remembering all those who fought for us to have a better life. Even now, there are servicemen taking bullets somewhere in the world with friends and family waiting for them back home. Get home safley guys and gals, just get home to those that love you.

May we never have to make that sacrifice people. Love life, live life and be happy for the life you have.

[robinm]

On a sad note, what a terrible day for this to happen. oh and an update to the news article, the 4th man died in hospital.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3620...sh-kills-three

[yungatart]

A few of us from the BFTP rally in HB attended the 9.30 service at Maraekakaho.
Unfortunately the "big tough biker girls" let the side down badly with tears during The Last Post...

We will remember them

[LBD]

We are just about to head off to the 10am dawn parade in Kyrgyzstan. There will be 2 Kiwis and 7 Aussies in attendance.....we have both flags, a tin of ANZAC cookies, Vegemite and Golden syrup on hand for breakfast afterwards.......

[kevfromcoro]

we are just about to head off to the 10am dawn parade in kyrgyzstan. There will be 2 kiwis and 7 aussies in attendance.....we have both flags, a tin of anzac cookies, vegemite and golden syrup on hand for breakfast afterwards.......

onya......

[Mom]

A few of us from the BFTP rally in HB attended the 9.30 service at Maraekakaho.
Unfortunately the "big tough biker girls" let the side down badly with tears during The Last Post...

We will remember them

Big turn out at Leigh this year. Biggest I have ever seen. Sadly a few missing, but so lovely to see the ones we still have with us. We still have one WW2 vet. I saw a few wet eyes. Best thing I saw though were the kids.