Anzac Day....and my apologies to....

[H2RICK]

all our mates in Oz and NZ. This day of rememberance was yesterday but unfortunately I was too busy with work, etc to post about it. Many thanks to our Anzac buddies through the various wars for their sacrifices on our behalf.
Those two small nations were, percentage-wise, front and centre when the call came.

Recommended reading:

Redemption by Leon Uris. The second book in his story of Ireland contains a large section with a very vivid description of what it was like at Gallipoli in WWI.

The Twenty Thousand Thieves by Eric Lambert. This semi-fictional novel is about the North African campaign in WWII. Highly recommended.

Both books are great but, of course, can only give us a slight idea of the reality that those Anzac guys suffered through. Spare some thoughts today for the fallen of Oz and New Zealand.

[muzza]

Thanks Rick, and a sad day it was indeed. Quite teary at times at the commemorations, especially Lone Pine at gallipoli and Viller-Bretennoux in France. Wasn't there of course, but live telecasts.

ANZAC Day is about remembering, it is not a celebration, and it is about loss. Lest we forget.

My Gallipoli site is here.....my great great uncle died at Gallipoli....Robert Dendtler....he has no known grave...his name is recorded on the Lone Pine monumnet at gallipoli.

http://www.ozebook.com/ww1/anzac/documents/anzac.html

There is a Canadian link to Gallipoli which is little known. The Newfoundland Regiment (Newfoundland not being part of Canada then) was sent to Gallipoli. They suffered their firsts casualties of the war there and then like the Australians went on to France to be slaughtered on the Western Front.

[pjmcburney]

all our mates in Oz and NZ. This day of rememberance was yesterday but unfortunately I was too busy with work, etc to post about it. Many thanks to our Anzac buddies through the various wars for their sacrifices on our behalf.
Those two small nations were, percentage-wise, front and centre when the call came.

Rick,


Don't feel bad, I more than made up for your absence...

As a member of a Service Band (and Bugler), I was involved in a Dawn Service, a local Community Service and then the ANZAC Parade through the city streets of Brisbane.

The crowds get bigger and bigger every year at every commemoration activity and listening to media comment it seems the spirit of the occasion is being passed on to younger generations to carry on the tradition.

I'm deeply honoured that I'm a serving member of the modern Defence Force and I have the opportunity to be part of the occasion to remember what it is so many sacrificed to allow me the freedoms I enjoy today.

It's always a big day (in more ways than one) and I look forward to doing it all again next year...


Cheers
Paul

[muzza]

pj..maybe one day mate you will get to blow the bugle overseas at a commemoration.

Great job, I don't know how you guys do it, the last post always makes me bawl.

[tz375]

Just as well you were not in Chicago at the weekend then. We had scheduled an ANZAC day event outside the ELKS national memorial but it was too wet and windy and they let us come inside to do it.

The main room has a tall domed ceiling on the circular marble walls. the speeches and poem echoed slightly but the bugle was like nothing I had ever heard.

As each note was played it echoed around the room and came back just before the next note but softer, so it sounded like two or three bugles. The way the sound was layered with one note on top of the other was simply amazing.

Most of the people there were misty eyed or had tears running down their cheeks.

[pjmcburney]

I've not been able to snag a trip overseas to play, but I had the privilege of being asked to play the Last Post and Rouse at the ANZAC NRL (Rugby League) game in Brisbane (which is played every year on ANZAC day-eve) at Lang Park last year.

Lang Park is an inner-city, 52500 seat, multi-purpose stadium with arguably the finest view of sport in the Country by dint of the fact that the seating starts essentially on the sideline.
The acoustics and amplification system is state-of-the-art as the whole Stadium was rebuilt from the ground up a couple years back.

There is nothing more spine-tingling than hearing yourself echo around a dead-silent, filled to capacity stadium. It's an experience I'll never forget.

There's also no describing the sheer unadulterated terror of performing solo to that many people, including a larger TV audience. Fortunately, I didn't screw up.

There are a couple of Churches in Brisbane with acoustics as Teazer described as well. I've played there also.
When there is a five second reverb return/delay in place, it makes for interesting listening (and playing) - it's possible to play harmony with yourself!

Richard, it's heartening to hear that ex-pats are staying in touch with their heritage and traditions as well - keep up the good work.


Cheers
Paul

[tz375]

Paul,

The Aussie and Kiwi community in Chicago is quite active. I was the President of the Australian New Zealand American Chamber of Commerce for the prior two years.

There's an Aussie Rules organization based in Milwaukee and Chicago has a team in the US Aussie Rules league.

Aussies aren't big joiners of clubs and don't travel all the way around the world to hang out with other Aussies, but it's nice to stay in touch and ANZACC day is a very special day

[parksie]

Aussie Rules .. NOW we're talking.
They have a traditional game between Collingwood and Essendon every ANZAC day.
Talking of ANZAC day. twas cold wet and miserable at the dawn service down here in Canberra but a large turnout all the same.

[MikeH1A]

Rick, Thanks for remembering this special day and taking the time to post about it. It is a day of rememberance for us down here and one where there are increasing numbers of young folk getting involved. As you rightly observe, our two nations took quite a hammering in a proportional sense. The battle for Gallipoli has become a focal point for us, underlining a strong bond with our Aussie neighbours and also defining us as our own nation in the wider world context.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Mike

[muzza]

Mike

when I walk down Rhododendron Ridge at Gallipoli, I am amazed at the feat of the Kiwis at reaching the top of the ridge......the stand of the NZers at Chanuk Bair is one of the bravest moments in warfare...

[skids]

A little late, but my respects to your fallen.