Canada Commonwealth Ping!
Posted on 04/24/2015 6:19:25 PM PDT by naturalman1975
While the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey prepares to receive more than 10,000 people to it's shores on Anzac Day, around Australia dawn services are being held with proud Aussies paying respects in record numbers on the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in a sign of unity and honour.
Since 1915, Anzac Day has been marked with ceremonies of remembrance to pay tribute to the 50,000 Australians and New Zealanders who fought on the shores of Turkey, and on Saturday special centenary celebrations will mark the sacrifice and valour of these fallen soldiers.
Although no WWI soldiers survive, moving dawn services have been heavily attended by veterans, their families and the public.
(Excerpt) Read more at heraldsun.com.au ...
Canada Commonwealth Ping!
Imagine a country proud of its heritage. What a thought.
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| "I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." |
The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZqN1glz4JY
Not really appropriate for Anzac Day. Self pity posing as anti war sentiment; phony self pity at that, for the songwriter (and the performers) was not (and were not) a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign.
At least the Australians and the New Zealanders have, by their rememberance ceremonies today, have given the lie to to the last verse of this song. The band still plays ‘Waltzing Matilda’, but although the “old men” who were there are now gone, their children, and grand-children, and to judge by the pictures of the parades, their great-grand- children still answer the call.
May God grant that they rest in peace.
Not really appropriate for Anzac Day. Self pity posing as anti war sentiment; phony self pity at that, for the songwriter (and the performers) was not (and were not) a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign.
You're right in some ways, but despite that the song does have a special place in the heart of many Australian veterans, and was actually instrumental in helping to revive ANZAC Day to some extent.
At the time it was written in 1971, Australia's involvement in Vietnam was drawing towards its end, and large parts of the population were very anti-war, and very anti-commemorations like ANZAC Day. It was seriously being questioned as to whether or not the ceremonials should continue. Eric Bogle, who wrote the song, actually deeply respects those who died in war and veterans alike. And this song helped revive the traditions. It featured at a lot of official ceremonies yesterday.
At least the Australians and the New Zealanders have, by their rememberance ceremonies today, have given the lie to to the last verse of this song. The band still plays ‘Waltzing Matilda’, but although the “old men” who were there are now gone, their children, and grand-children, and to judge by the pictures of the parades, their great-grand- children still answer the call.
They do, but the parade has also become a memorial to all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in defence of their countries and our allies. There are no men from the First World War left, but there's still a decent number from the Second World War, and subsequent conflicts.
May God grant that they rest in peace.
Amen.
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