ANZACS

[Ballistic]

Yeah Gallipoli looked freakin freezing. Still, it would be epic being there for an ANZAC service.

[Nathan105]

lol

[SamEEE]

We will remember them;

Went to the dawn service in Whangarei this morning. Was a bit mediocre* but still poignant - reflected a bit on the past. How lucky we are to live in a peaceful place.

I have always liked this piece by Atatürk

Those heroes that 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 the 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.

Also thought of my great-grandfather. He fought in the 100 day offensive of 1918 (Second Battle of the Somme, I believe).
Although I never knew him I can appreciate that he must have felt quite a long way from home when he caught a bit of shell-burst.



____________________ ___
* More wreath laying than anything else, no mention of Turkey or any other opposing forces, and no "God Save the Queen"

[Click62]

Here is a poem called 'The Fallen' that is also part of the ode so everyone take a moment to think of the relationship our two countries have and lets make the bonds grow stronger and time goes on.

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, 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.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
By Robert Laurence Binyon

[deggy]

[Maritius]

This is written on the ANZAC Memorial in ANZAC Cove. It seemed to resonate with me, so I thought I would share:

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives...
You are now living in the soil of a friendly country
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway 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.

Lest we forget.

[Sandy_Beret]

Respect.

[obese_oner]

This is a video my friend made in high school in 2005. About Eric Neil, an amazing Australian war veteran who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces on 26 May 1941. Mr Neil passed away on 28 March 2009. Lest We Forget.