ANZAC Day!

Posted By Grim

Just the other day, thanks to this letter from Australia, we were talking about how much we appreciate the folks from Down Under.  Well, today is ANZAC Day, which is similar in many respects to our Memorial Day. 

We'd like to join in the salute to our comrades.  I see that the Castle got started without us:  if anyone else has an appropriate post, add it in the comments here.

Advance Australia Fair!  This rendition begins with a phrase that I've only heard British and Commonwealth units use:  "Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding."  It's a fine way of putting it, joining both the physical and the moral actions that are requested to show due honor to nation and service.

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[D.W. Drang]

My blog post @ http://thecluemeter.blogspot.com/2008/04/and-band-played-waltzing-matilda.html
They shall grow not 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

[LPierson]

I work with a goodly number of Australians and had the honor to attend my first ANZAC Day commemoration ceremony. The ANZAC legacy is quite a thing to behold within these people. Allow me to provide you a synopsis of how this small group I am associated with went about executing their commemoration:

1. The event is timed to coincide with pre-dawn. In this case the Aussie "Headmaster" of the international school out here went to great lengths to insure the ceremony site would produce the maxium timing effect of the natural light.

2. They open with a word of prayer and play the Australian national anthem.

3. There is a series of readings from diaries and letters of members of the ANZAC units preparing to land and go "over the top" at ANZAC Cove on the shore of Galliopi.

4. After the readings, there is a small speech given regarding the meaning of "the ANZAC Spirit" as it applies today. In our case here, we were informed that it was estimated that over 25,000 Autralians were going to attend ANZAC Day services at ANZAC Cove. And that these past few years more people have attended ANZAC day ceremonies than ever before. One proud "Mum" was mentioning that her Navy Son was parading back home.

5. The "Headmaster" read Ataturk's words regarding his appreciation for the lads of ANZAC, which was quite moving.

6. Then as the light begins to break at dawn, the bugle flourish "The Last Post" was played followed by a two minute period of silence.

7. When the two minutes of silence was over, the "Headmaster's" Wife recited "In Flanders Fields" with a bit of Aussie literay license that included "...and at ANZAC Cove..."

8. Following the "Headmaster's" wife, an older gentleman recited the stanza of poetry listed above, and the whole lot repeated "lest we forget" in unision.

The group then moved to a breakfast where the first thing they did was partake of shots of what is known as "Gunfire Coffee"; coffee with a shot of rum. (Given the Galliopi experience the drink is aptly named...)

I was very proud to be in the company of these allies of upstanding character.

[douglas]

the Aussies have long been our friends, and have paid the price as well. All honor to their fallen.

[Radio Patriot]

Grim, Matt, Jimbo, LW et al,

I was so impressed with the letter that I recorded a piece about it on this week's podcast at Voice of Liberty Podcast network. In it I mention Blackfive.net. You can hear it at

voiceoflibertypodcast.com/2008/04/23/an-australian-shot-in-the-arm.aspx

Andrea Shea King
The Radio Patriot http://radiopatriot.blogspot.com
WDBO AM 580 - Orlando
and BlogTalkRadio.com

[Metcalph]

What does ANZAC stand for?

[Rich V]

I believe it stands for

Australia/New Zealand Army Corps

[Krontekag]

Yes, Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.

NZ commemorates ANZAC Day along with Australia - different national anthem though :)

[otcconan]

Yep, I noticed it was ANZAC day from the calendar. Broke out my old VHS copy of Gallipoli. It's still heartbreaking.