ANZAC Day 2014

[Grizzled Ian]

Most of us have read of Downunder Kilt's problem with a new kilt that he had made in The Australia tartan which was delivered in good time for ANZAC Day, today, 25th April. Rather than read further reports of what kilted Australians and New Zealanders got up to today in a thread about Mike's kilt, how about we make our contributions in this thread. I will kick off if you like, even though I did not strap on a kilt myself today.

My day started at 2.45am with a quick cuppa and bite and into my Choir uniform (hence trousers and no kilt) to sing at the 5.30am Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial here in Canberra, attended by some 37,000 sombrely and respectfully quiet Canberrans and visitors. I remembered three great-uncles whose graves I have visited, two in Beach Cemetery at Gallipoli, and one in Ration Farm Cemetery in Northern France.

We also sang at the march of veterans and service groups at the AWM later in the morning. English Bloke, if you have been wondering where Will, Kate and George have been lately, their itinerary included these two events today, and during the march, the Governor-General invited the Duke of Cambridge to share the saluting stand with him.

Our visitors also planted a sapling grown from a pine cone of the now 80-year old Lone Pine Tree planted by the Duke of Gloucester in the grounds of the AWM in 1934. The old tree is nearing the end of its life. It in turn had been germinated from a tree grown in the Yarralumla nursery, which had come from a cone found on one of the pine logs that Turkish soldiers had used as cover over their trench lines at the Lone Pine section of the Gallipoli battlefield. That original pine cone was recovered and sent to his mother by an Australian soldier looking for the bodies of his two brothers, killed during the battle at Lone Pine on 7 August 1915.

Back into Choir uniform, after a deep but brief sleep early in the afternoon, for our third engagement of the day. We sing at Brumbies home games, the Brumbies being Canberra's team in the Super 15 southern hemisphere provincial Rugby competition. Apposite on ANZAC Day to play a New Zealand team, so it was last year's champions the Chiefs from Waikato who came, to be demolished in a 5 try to 2 rugby lesson. Oh, and we sang well. Before kick-off, there was a short ceremony on the field involving the mounting of a catafalque party, a bugler for the Last Post and the Rouse, and a temporary flag pole near half-way. At half-time, a couple of golf carts drove slowly around the ground carrying the four surviving Australian Victoria Cross recipients, Keith Payne (Vietnam War), and Ben Roberts-Smith, Mark Donaldson and Daniel Keighran (Afghanistan).

Enough from me; and no photos - really, who wants to see a photo without a kilt in it. So, this invitation to kilted Aussies and Kiwis to share their kilted ANZAC Day with the rest of us. And especially Mike, even though we can't see pics of your kilt in action today, it would be great to see photos taken later of the ensemble you wore today, including the famous Australia tartan kilt.

LEST WE FORGET

[Grouse Claw]

I'm wondering when Australia and New Zealand are going to get through their time of mourning and look ahead. It's been 99 years long so far. Even though my grandfather was gassed at Ypres I didn't celebrate by wearing my kilt on ANZAC Day.

[Ordway]

"Those who don't remember the past are doomed to repeat it. " George Santayana

[WillowEstate]

I'm wondering when Australia and New Zealand are going to get through their time of mourning and look ahead. It's been 99 years long so far. Even though my grandfather was gassed at Ypres I didn't celebrate by wearing my kilt on ANZAC Day.

An interesting point of view. I'm not sure I'd call it mourning, more a case of taking just a moment out of our busy lives and remember, with thanks, those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today. Perhaps, as a more recent arrival in the Antipodes from Great Britain, it and Remembrance Day in November, mean a little more to me as my parents generation were the ones who stood alone in 1940 against the might of the Third Reich.

And, of course, there are the losses in the more recent conflicts. I find ANZAC day as moving as the poppies in the Albert Hall in November. Would that we didn't ever need to add to the list of the fallen but, sadly I think, not in my lifetime.

Others mileage may vary.

[Grouse Claw]

At risk of being defenestrated by the moderators, I offer my last word, a rebuttal of Santayana. Although I dislike Hegel, his observation about history was more practical: History teaches us that history teaches us nothing. Look at Europe today.

[Manxstralian]

I'm wondering when Australia and New Zealand are going to get through their time of mourning and look ahead. It's been 99 years long so far. Even though my grandfather was gassed at Ypres I didn't celebrate by wearing my kilt on ANZAC Day.

"Despite federation being proclaimed in Australia in 1901, it is argued that the "national identity" of Australia was largely forged during the violent conflict of World War I, and the most iconic event in the war for most Australians was the landing at Gallipoli" from Wikipedia.

I don't think it's about mourning, I think it's the birth pains of nationhood, resonating through the generations. You have to remember, the difference between the colony of 1900 and the nation of 1901 was merely paperwork, as the song says "blood is essential for birth".

Lest We Forget.

[Grizzled Ian]

Good afternoon Grouse,

I don't think I am in the business of perpetuating any myths, though others may disagree. I seek to honour those forebears of mine who went to war. In this day and age, we may not necessarily agree with their motivations, but allow me to grieve for grandfathers and other family members whom I never knew due to their war service, please. And don't lose sight of this fact, that there are another 364 days in the year for the prime focus to be ahead.

Nor do I assume that anybody kilted on that day was celebrating. My invitation was/is along the lines of Mael Coluim's kilted Friday thread.

Now, to Hegel's thought above. Cast as it is, it is completely a paradox, and incapable of rational interpretation. But I agree with the underlying sentiment that it suggests, which I explain like this. History teaches us that those who wield great influence* will almost invariably continue to make decisions for their own benefit, rather than for the common good, apparently ignoring, or ignorant of, the lessons of history.

*Influence, whether political or in business (and here I run the risk of joining you on the footpath under the window).

[English Bloke]

As already mentioned, 364 days to look forward and but one to look back and reflect. It's not a big ask... and for those who find it difficult to muster sufficient respect for those who gave all in conflicts past... please don't feel obliged to participate. Personally speaking, I'd not be offended, Not that my opinion counts for anything at all.

LEST WE FORGET.

My Turkish wife and I have walked the fields of Gallipoli and paid our respects to all the combatants that lie there. From Cape Helles to Suvla Bay, ANZAC, Turkish, British, French, it matters not, they're all dead. Gallipoli wasn't just the making of a true National identity for Australia and New Zealand, it was the spark that generated modern Turkey too so it is still relevant today... on the assumption it matters to mark such things.

Pleased to hear ANZAC day went well for most. Is there room on the footpath for one more?

"Bu Memleketin toprakları üstünde kanlarını döken kahramanlar! Burada dost bir vatanın toprağındasınız. Huzur ve sükun içinde uyuyunuz. Sizler Mehmetçiklerle yanyana koyun koyunasınız. Uzak diyarlardan evlatlarını harbe gönderen analar! Gözyaşlarınızı dindiriniz. Evlatlarınız bizim bağrımızdadır, huzur içindedirler ve huzur içinde rahat rahat uyuyacaklardır. Onlar bu toprakta canlarını verdikten sonra artık bizim evlatlarımız olmuşlardır."

"Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives! You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."

Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk). 1934

[BCAC]

As already mentioned, 364 days to look forward and but one to look back and reflect. It's not a big ask... and for those who find it difficult to muster sufficient respect for those who gave all in conflicts past... please don't feel obliged to participate. Personally speaking, I'd not be offended, Not that my opinion counts for anything at all.

LEST WE FORGET.

My Turkish wife and I have walked the fields of Gallipoli and paid our respects to all the combatants that lie there. From Cape Helles to Suvla Bay, ANZAC, Turkish, British, French, it matters not, they're all dead. Gallipoli wasn't just the making of a true National identity for Australia and New Zealand, it was the spark that generated modern Turkey too so it is still relevant today... on the assumption it matters to mark such things.

Pleased to hear ANZAC day went well for most. Is there room on the footpath for one more?

"Bu Memleketin toprakları üstünde kanlarını döken kahramanlar! Burada dost bir vatanın toprağındasınız. Huzur ve sükun içinde uyuyunuz. Sizler Mehmetçiklerle yanyana koyun koyunasınız. Uzak diyarlardan evlatlarını harbe gönderen analar! Gözyaşlarınızı dindiriniz. Evlatlarınız bizim bağrımızdadır, huzur içindedirler ve huzur içinde rahat rahat uyuyacaklardır. Onlar bu toprakta canlarını verdikten sonra artık bizim evlatlarımız olmuşlardır."

"Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives! You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."

Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk). 1934

Well said, John. I heartily agree.

Lest we forget.

[Downunder Kilt]

Sorry for the delay folks but just got my camera back after leaving it somewhere. As requested here are a couple of pics of how I turned out for for my Anzac Day duties.



I think the Australian tartan comes up pretty well and felt very honoured to be asked to participate during the ceromony. Cheers

And yes, I was armed with a 303, whilst part of the catafalque party