So how many of you bothered to get up and honour the ANZACs this morning?

**firefighter** · 25th April 2008, 11:25

Just wondering how many of you used this day as a sleep in day instead of what it was intended for?

**Gubb** · 25th April 2008, 11:30

I slept in, but I also read my Granddad's manuscript that he wrote before he died. Got all of his war stories in there. Pretty poignant read.

**firefighter** · 25th April 2008, 11:37

Originally Posted by Hubba Gubba

I slept in, but I also read my Granddad's manuscript that he wrote before he died. Got all of his war stories in there. Pretty poignant read.

wow I imagine theres some interesting things in there!maybe if there's a short one in there and you dont mind you could share one?

**avgas** · 25th April 2008, 11:40

i was haunted by ghosts - bastards set my alarm to 0430 and 0530 and my phone was in the other room of the house. So twice i got up turned off the phone and went back to sleep.
So in hindsight i should have gone to a ceremony - but its just too commercial these days. And it almost doesn't mean anything now.
When i was younger we used to get up at 4, go grab a 10kg river stone and carry it up to the top of the nearest hill.
Somehow getting up at 5am, driving (your Audi) to 'her majesty's local yacht club and sipping a starbucks doesn't seem to commemorate as well.

**Maha** · 25th April 2008, 11:41

I did not sleep in, I instead had things to do before we ride off to Taupo this afternoon. However, Mom has gone out to Leigh to play the Last Post for the old boys out there, she does it every years for them and loves it when she sees tears in thiers eyes (in a good way) I guess the old boys momentarily feel the passion in that tune as they remember thier mates.

**Gubb** · 25th April 2008, 11:43

His Gallipoli story was pretty..... moving. He spent some time in North Africa too.

I would share them, but I don't have a scanner, and it's a lot to type out. Saw his best mate from Wanganui (they joined, trained, fought together) die right beside him.

I've never been interested in joining the Armed Forces (my brother has though) but reading something like that certainly hit home with me about the sacrifice that was made for us.

**firefighter** · 25th April 2008, 11:44

Originally Posted by avgas

i was haunted by ghosts - bastards set my alarm to 0430 and 0530 and my phone was in the other room of the house. So twice i got up turned off the phone and went back to sleep.
So in hindsight i should have gone to a ceremony - but its just too commercial these days. And it almost doesn't mean anything now.
When i was younger we used to get up at 4, go grab a 10kg river stone and carry it up to the top of the nearest hill.
Somehow getting up at 5am, driving (your Audi) to 'her majesty's local yacht club and sipping a starbucks doesn't seem to commemorate as well.

erm, commercial?well all the old veterans i see crying and collapsing i'd have to say I would disagree with you........i think your mistaking commercialism with large numbers showing respect, i'm actually almost offended i'm in the defence force and to say it doesn't mean anything is bullshit.wtf?! oh yeah, go to an actual parade not startbucks?!

**Highlander** · 25th April 2008, 11:56

Though would have gone to Dawn Service if I thought I could still get to work on time, or if I had the day off.

**SpeedyGirl** · 25th April 2008, 11:57

Up at 5.30 this morning and went as I do every year! Would not miss it for anything.. its a small thing I can to to honour the memory of my Uncle.

**scumdog** · 25th April 2008, 11:58

Originally Posted by Hubba Gubba

I've never been interested in joining the Armed Forces (my brother has though) but reading something like that certainly hit home with me about the sacrifice that was made for us.

A shame all the freedom saved is being wasted on the present generation (and others) who take it for granted....those who made the sacrifice will be spinning in their graves.

**Drew** · 25th April 2008, 12:06

Originally Posted by scumdog

A shame all the freedom saved is being wasted on the present generation (and others) who take it for granted....those who made the sacrifice will be spinning in their graves.

I dont agree, those who fought for our freedom would be lying in peace knowing we have said freedom.

I dont have any reason for not going to the dawn parade, other than the fact that no war should ever have happened. We are one friggin species after all, race is irrelevent, why the need to fight over who is in charge?

Greed is pretty much the heart of it all, and although we are all driven by it to a degree, those with obvious lust for power at all cost should just be tagged as such and not let into positions of authority.

I know it aint quite so simple, but it doesn't have to be impossible.

**Gubb** · 25th April 2008, 12:06

Originally Posted by scumdog

A shame all the freedom saved is being wasted on the present generation (and others) who take it for granted....those who made the sacrifice will be spinning in their graves.

I'm 24, and I certainly don't feel that way. Sure, I get complacent every now and then, but there's usually at least 4 different times a year (certain people's birthdays, Anzac Day etc) when it all comes crashing home. It makes me realise that if it wasn't for my grandparents, and their dedication, then I have no idea what kind of world I would e living in.

It's not the entire generation, just a few mis-guided souls. Some just lack the understanding of what really went on, and why.

**firefighter** · 25th April 2008, 12:12

Originally Posted by Drew

I dont agree, those who fought for our freedom would be lying in peace knowing we have said freedom.

I dont have any reason for not going to the dawn parade, other than the fact that no war should ever have happened. We are one friggin species after all, race is irrelevent, why the need to fight over who is in charge?

Greed is pretty much the heart of it all, and although we are all driven by it to a degree, those with obvious lust for power at all cost should just be tagged as such and not let into positions of authority.

I know it aint quite so simple, but it doesn't have to be impossible.

Hmmmm, I don't think greed had anything to do with WW1 and WW2...... you may be a little uneducated on what they were about? I won't comment on any after then as this thread is about ANZAC day remmeberance nothing else......it's about them so make sure you don't try and hiijack this thread with any anti-war stuff please.

**headlesschicken** · 25th April 2008, 12:34

where's the "I didn't sleep in but had to be up well before the crack of dawn to milk cows anyway" option?

**Virago** · 25th April 2008, 12:38

Originally Posted by avgas

...but its just too commercial these days...Somehow getting up at 5am, driving (your Audi) to 'her majesty's local yacht club and sipping a starbucks doesn't seem to commemorate as well.

It's a shame that you choose to look at it that way. After all, the event is what you make it.

Commercialism may be there for those who seek it out. But by far the vast majority of attendees at the Dawn Services take no part in any commercial activity. As it should be.