Anzac Day

[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:Me]

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.

[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........

[skidMark]

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

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.