Anzac day

[aussie.rum.pig]

i no this might by a bit soon but
anzac day is comeing up and i would just like to express my respect to all the soldiers pass and present for there courage & determination to save OUR beautiful country .
Lest We Forget.

Be muchly appreciated to anybody who pass on their respect by placing their post here ....

[Clinglish]

Thanks from me and mine to all those who have put themselves in harms way so I can enjoy the freedoms I have.

[---Damo---]

my great gandfather was killed while at war.Anzac Day is a day we always pay our respects and give thanks.Especially now i have a young child.Lest We Forget....Damo

[sparra_gump]

MY grandfather was one of the lucky ones to come back but could never talk about, i couldnt imagine what he went through, so he; his mates and those past and present have my respect.

[Bazza]

Geez sparra, I dunno about lucky to come back and have to live with those terrible memories.

Don't forget to thank all 3 services RAA, RAN and RAAF.

[sparra_gump]

Well as lucky as you could get i suppose.

[robvic]

I have more respect for these people than i have anyone else. I had 1 grandfather, and a whole heap of great uncles and aunties that served in WW2, as well as a great grandfather that served in WW1.
Thankfully they all made it back alive. A couple of my great uncles on my fathers side were POWs in WW2.
I for one will never forget the sacrificies made by the thousands of australian soldiers so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today.
I had no family members in vietnam, but realise the terrible time the soldiers went through there as well.
My grandfather passed away 3 years ago, i loved the man so much. Every time i hear the last post it brings a tear to my eyes.
Lest we forget.

[nev]

A.N.Z.A.C day is a big day for me ,as the welfare officer for my RSL it can get quiet hectic .So to all past digs have a good one and to present here and O.S my/our thoughts are with you...nev

[umf123]

R.I.P all our ANZAC's. may they never be forgoten

[rossy]

Took my young bloke who,s 9years old, around to my grandfathers the other day. as he is starting understand abit more about ANZAC day, anyway my grandfather who served in WW2 was showing Brodie his medals and what they stood for, and where his service took him around the world.Then Brodie pipes up with a question "how long where you in the army, pop?".to which my grandfather replied "5 years mate".Brodies next words where "well pop, your lucky you didn't get killed".well my grandfather whos 86,bust out laughing,"never a truer word said,Brod".
out of the mouths of kids hey.
LEST WE FORGET

[hugearm]

my grand farther served in WW2 along with many of my great uncle.. During the war my great uncle actually knocked out the then world heavy weight boxing champion who served in ww2 he was american . My farther was in Vietnam. As still a young bloke (17) im very dissapointed in the lack of respect shown from my fellow peers at school. Many of them only think of it as a "day of school" it is very dissapointing

[Glenn]

I had a gradfather who served in WW1 and several Uncles who served in WW2, my son is serving in Afghanistan right now. The Anzacs should never be forgotten and it is good the see the younger generation embracing Anzac Day.

[danceswithdingoes]

Seven generations of Infantry, I'll be at Currumbin Friday morning.

[rudy]

My father served in WWII in New Guinea and my eldest son has just gone into the Armed Forces at the start of April, so this will be an even more special Anzac day for me.

[nev]

To Glen and Rudy you can be justlly proud of your boys just remember they'll have NO betters ,My thoughts will be with them . nev ex 21yrs signalman.

[spiderbait24]

my respect to all the present and past people who have fought for us to be free.

[GOLDGT]

Don't forget to thank all 3 services RAA, RAN and RAAF.

Well said baz, I will be marching this year as i have for the last 13 years as a serving member of the RAN. Both my grandfathers served overseas in WW2 for the NZ Army. One did tell some storys of the funny things that happend like one time in France they had there morters set up in a orchard full of cherry trees and they used to climb the trees for cherries until one day a morter deternated after hitting a branch and it rained cherries, no one was hurt luckly and they did'nt need to climb the trees anymore. But there was'nt a lot of storys. And the other never said a thing about it he never even marched on ANZAC days. Makes you really think what they must have been through and what sacrifices they all made. My greatuncle served WW2 in the NZ Navy and was captured by the japaness and spent nearly 4 years in one of there POW camps he weighed 13 stone when he went in and only 6 stone when he was released at the end of the war.

[HOOD]

To all the guys past present and future that have/will keep this country of ours free I salute you all.

[Puk]

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.







We will remember them.
Lest we forget.



I don't know about you guys, but my hair stands on end when i hear those words, and something just sort of puffs out in your chest. I feel like i need to stand to attention. And say thankyou.

Puk

[Poppy]

Yeah Guys if you haven't experienced a dawn service on Anzac day, your missing out on Australians at there best.
If you go I bet you won't find a dry eye.
Make you feel proud to be an Aussie, and to remember the debt we owe our service men and woman, God bless them.
Paul

[bobzila]

i can honestly say this is the only public holiday i beleave in. i will be showing my respect on friday with a little ritcheral (spelling) that my dad has done every anzac day for the past 25 years.
lest we forget

[TOWER*2007]

I lost a relative in WW 1 in Galipoli.

He was in the 10th Light Horse and apparently everyone used to joke how lucky he was to get as far as he did. He had many grazes and near misses and several acts of bravery in the trenches, but it only lasted so long and he is now buried there in the hills.

He was in the same platoon as the only Victoria Cross winner in the Australian Light Horse unit in WW 1 which was awarded to 2LT H.V.H. Throssell of 10th Light Horse at Hill 60 on 29/30 August, 1915.

His two bothers at least got home, with injuries though.

My best goes out to them all.

[Dongles]

I'll be in a dawn service at Villers-Brettoneux (Northern France), then in ceremonies at the the Australian memorial to commerate the 90th anniversary of the liberation of VB by Australian soldiers, followed by ceremonies in Bullecourt and tours of WW1 battlefields in France and Belgium.

[aussie.rum.pig]

ANZAC Day

I saw a kid marchin’ with medals on his chest.
He marched alongside Diggers marching six abreast.
He knew that it was ANZAC Day - he walked along with pride.
He did his best to keep in step with the Diggers by his side.

And when the march was over the kid was rather tired.
A Digger said “Whose medals, son?” to which the kid replied:
“They belong to daddy, but he did not come back.
He died up in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track”.

The kid looked rather sad then and a tear came to his eye.
The Digger said “Don’t cry my son and I will tell you why.
Your daddy marched with us today - all the blooming way.
We Diggers know that he was there - it’s like that on ANZAC Day”.

The kid looked rather puzzled and didn’t understand,
But the Digger went on talking and started to wave his hand.
“For this great land we live in, there’s a price we have to pay
For we all love fun and merriment in this country where we live.
The price was that some soldier his precious life must give.

For you to go to school my lad and worship God at will,
Someone had to pay the price so the Diggers paid the bill.
Your daddy died for us my son - for all things good and true.
I wonder if you understand the things I’ve said to you”.

The kid looked up at the Digger - just for a little while
And with a changed expression, said, with a lovely smile:
“I know my dad marched here today - this is ANZAC Day.
I know he did. I know he did, all the bloomin’ way”.

=====================================

A Tribute to ANZAC Day

With their hair a little whiter, their step not quite so sure
Still they march on proudly as they did the year before.
Theirs were the hands that saved us, their courage showed the way
Their lives they laid down for us, that we may live today.

From Gallipoli's rugged hillsides, to the sands of Alamein
On rolling seas and in the skies, those memories will remain.
Of airmen and the sailors, of Lone Pine and Suvla Bay
The boys of the Dardenelles are remembered on this day.

They fought their way through jungles, their blood soaked desert sands
They still remember comrades who rest in foreign lands.
They remember the siege of old Tobruk, the mud of the Kokoda Trail
Some paying the supreme sacrifice with courage that did not fail.
To the icy land of Korea, the steamy jungles of Vietnam
And the heroic battle of Kapyong and that epic victory at Long Tan.

Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died
That we may live in peace together, while at home their mothers cried.
When that final bugle calls them to cross that great divide
Those comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side.

[nev]

Mate that just sent shiveres down me loved it...nev
pop original anzac ww1
pops by 2 + 1 uncle ww2
dad navy, 2 uncles army 1 airforce Korea 1 uncle killed 3rar
1 uncle army dad navy Malaya
uncle army uncle navy Vietnam
me army Cambodia
I think my family has done enough and i want my kids not to join but i wont stop them

[Clemo]

Some great sentiments here.
My family has lost men in some major conflicts including WW1.
I feel humbled by their sacrifice, a debt that cannot be repaid.
I only hope that I can honour their memory.

[Bazza]

Well said baz, I will be marching this year as i have for the last 13 years as a serving member of the RAN.

Yep, ANZAC day to many means army. It is what ANZAC stands for directly but it has become more than that. Pilots get shot down, ground crew get bombed, ships, boats and subs get sunk. It's important to recognise everyones efforts and sacrifices.

[grimmobow]

lest we forget.

[Thwack!]

I would like to think that my day to day conduct might reflect the respect and gratitude I have for past and present servicemen and women, even if at most times thats only in a very small and private way.

But ANZAC day gives me the public opportunity to pay my respects and some of my debt of gratitude to those men and women (especially my late grandfather). The Last Post followed by Rouse (some might know Rouse as Reveille) always leaves me fighting a loosing battle to hold back welling tears but I am looking forward to hearing it tomorrow.

Thanks

[u up 4 it]

Love and respect to all that have given and those who still suffer.

[acthunter]

ill be at the dawn sevice in the morning along with my 5 year old daughter.

Those poems were great Aussie rum pig.

[troy]

"Makes the hair stand on the back of your neck". To true Puk. I find it hard to attend a dawn service without shedding a tear.
My grandfather spent several years in the middle east and lost his family for his service. My great uncle also served though I'm not sure where. I currently have a mate in Iraq due home in June. I would have joined myself except for medical issues. So it means a bit to me. May our sons and daughters never need to see the face of war.
We Will Remember Them.
Lest We Forget.

[crazimofo]

i take my kids every year
lest we forget


then i'm going hunting till sunday:D

[irish murphy]

This year will be the first in a long time i wont be at dawn service.I am going down to a mates place down at brogo.Last year i was in queensland to attend a funeral of my younger cousin who died tragically on his motorbike the day before my 36th birthday.What a birthday present.For no apparent reason he swerved on a straight piece of road and hit a tree.Died instantly.I wasnt at dawn service last year but i had stayed awake the whole night of the wake and was still awake to watch dawn service in the morning.The dawn service in canberra is where i usually go.Sometimes my old man comes too.He served in vietnam and its hard for him to go some years.The morning is always a time to reflect upon the blokes who never came back and those who did survive.The last post always gets a tear going in my eyes.Its so haunting.Ill have my own service tomorrow around 10am when i get to my mates.A few shots of my 303 and then a few beers.Everyone have a safe ANZAC day and long weekend.

[snowy1]

i have just got the medals out for my grandfather and uncle ,
i carry them i witha huge amount of pride in the pre dawn for the service here in wangaratta ,

dunno about you guys but when they play the last POST ,,,,,

dont matter if its cold or not i get bloody goose bumps and big lump in my throat thinking of what they guys DID for US so we can live in a free democratic society

lest we forget ,

snowy

[Jack.L]

I for one will never feel i am able to repay the debt owed to these people, some my age. They went to war not knowing at the time that they where paying the price for our freedom. Tomorrow is the day when i can at least remember these people that ALL free Australians owe there freedom to.

[forrie]

lest we forget

[iancoombe]

go the diggers

[bear beau]

My grandfather also served in New Guinea,Port moresby and Milne bay.
He never spoke much about his time in the AIF, the only thing he used to say was that there was a time when he did'nt see his feet for 4 months and up until the day he passed away he couldn't stand the sight of tinned baked beans!
I now have his medals,duffel bag and slouch hat.
In some ways i wish they could talk but in other ways i appreciate their silence.
Its great to see you guys with kids educating them about the sacrifices that the old fellas made to give us the quality of lifestyle that we enjoy now!
I know i'll be doing the same when my little one comes along in june...

[Antarcher]

Every respect goes out to those who served our country the way these guys and women did and the same goes to those who still do.

[Waldganger]

and the band played Waltzing Matilda (http://youtube.com/watch?v=yEurc7kX8FA)

I was only 19 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=hHTojtx89Cw)

Last Post (http://youtube.com/watch?v=y4DGSVU5H_I)

Dennis John Desmond

I thank you for your service

You were such a inspiration in my life,
In person, and in story.

Rest In Peace


They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

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..........

[Luke]

From China - Lest we forget.

[aussie.rum.pig]

i would just like to say A big think u to all for posting to say thinks and your respect to the anzacs

cheers ...... aussie rum pig

[buzz]

I lobbed this up on Ozbow, thought I might copy it here for those interested.


More information about the Anzac Day commemorations is here. (http://www.dva.gov.au/commemorations/commemorative_events/anzac_day/)

This is the official Australian Government website (http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/) set up for the Gallipoli site.

2008 marks the first major official modern commemorative event conducted by the Australian Government at Villers-Bretonneux (http://www.dva.gov.au/commemorations/commemorative_events/major_anniversaries/villers-bretonneux/index.htm). This was the site of a major battle involving Australian troops that happened on Anzac Day 1918. More info and images here. (http://www.anzac2008-france.com/)

Service Records of Australian veterans
The National Archives have most service records of Australian Veterans available to be accessed on-line. They are in the process of digitising them and many other records, but in a rather nice gesture, they will process specific requests for digital copies and put them up on the web. I think they figure that they will scan them eventually anyway, so doing some out of order is no real skin off their noses.

A good idea is to check the service details first. I think this is a link (http://www.dva.gov.au/commemorations/history_research/service_history/index.htm) to the nominal rolls for WW2, Korea/Malaya and Vietnam. I believe the WW1 records are indexed at National Archives.

More info about accessing service records is here. (http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/index.aspx)

Once you have the name and service number confirmed, the NAA's Record Search (http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch.aspx) and Name Search (http://naa12.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/NameSearchForm.aspx) should help identify the information about the service records. From the page listing the service records it should be possible to request digital copies be made. The NAA will scan them and place them on the web. You will need to check back after a couple of weeks (well, give it a month or so) and the images should be available.

Unit Histories are held by the Australian War Memorial (http://www.awm.gov.au/) and some information is online. They also funded the 'Official Histories' of the major conflicts.

Veteran benefits
For people with relatives who are veterans, if they served overseas in the Australian forces during WW2 they would have likely be entitled to a Veterans' Affairs 'Gold Card', and would be able to have medical treatment covered almost as per a private insurance patient and have other benefits like sets of dentures and glasses every couple of years. If a DVA card holder or veteran finds themselves in hospital it is good to ask the nurses if there is a veterans liaison officer at the hospital as they can often arrange extra services or assistance, or even visits from a range of veteran groups who just come in to meet other vets. Do note that the Gold Card doesn't automatically pass on to a surviving spouse though if the death was deemed 'war caused' (and they can still be, even this far after the war) the spouse is entitled to one.

For those who have had a veteran relative pass on, it is worth checking the Office of Australian War Graves website (http://www.dva.gov.au/oawg/) to see if there is a form of official commemoration available.

For veterans and their families Anzac day can be be an upsetting time of the year. The VVCS, Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service, offers counselling to Australian vets, their partners and dependant children. More info here. (http://www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs/index.htm)

Lest we forget.