ANZAC Day.

[Panzerman]

Australian and New Zealand Army Korps

Just off to our ANZAC day service.

Lest We Forget.

[Saxondog]

If possible post some pictures,seem like an interesting tradition and we would not often have a chance on this side of the rock to enjoy the day. Blake

[Andy in Cheltenham]

An important day! I'll be remembering too.

[Panzerman]

Okay folks here is a few pic's of our ANZAC Day ceremony.
Now days ANZAC not only recognises the Gallipoli campaign, the day acknowledges all those who
have served both past and present. I live in a small place with a current resident population of
around 350 people, nearly everyone on the island attends the service, this is something that I
have noticed in the last ten or so years. My family has had a bit of a military history and I have
attended ANZAC day for many years, in recent years the great thing about the day is how many
younger people are attending. Our local school kids march with the ex-servicemen, they place a
wreath at the memorial and sing a great song the words of which I have put below.

I along with many others find the whole thing very emotional but also a wonderful! Where I live
our service isn't at dawn, most bigger towns and cities have a dawn service. Of the population of
one hundred and nine people in WW I nine men went away. In WW II the population was one
hundred and fifty nine, twenty four men left their island home. This is a common trend across
Australia with small towns, the large percentage per head of population who left their homes for
distant shores. Of course if they did not return it effected the whole community.







Below is some text I found on the net re Michael Tavers song.
The song was written to provide a new interpretation of the ANZAC story for the younger generation.
It aims to perpetuate the memory of Alec Campbell- the last ANZAC who passed away in 2003.
The song pays tribute to the contribution of those who have fought for Australia and looks to a
future of peace in a changing world.

The Last ANZAC
Every year we remember, in April and November.
The boats on the water carrying the brave.
They heard the deadly order to run through the water.
It's time for you to jump boys, your fighting to be free.

And every year passing our nation's soul's been marching.
Through country towns and city streets their memory lives on.
And when peaceful rays of sunlight, my face shine upon,
feeling somehow different cause the last Anzac's gone.

If we need to solve a problem, can we talk it through?
The water looks much better, better when its blue.
Remember the last Anzac and how he cried for peace.
Forever under gum trees, blue skies over me.

I ask myself the question time and time again.
The world is so much different but some things stay the same.
As we ride treacherous waters, may out hearts calm the seas.
We will hold the Anzac courage and join our hands in peace.

We will hold the Anzac courage and join our hands in peace.
We will hold the Anzac courage and join our hands in peace.
We will hold the Anzac courage and join our hands in peace.

[Von kraftwerk]

As a Englishman have always had respect for the ANZAC as well as the other Commonwealth forces that always answered the call in Britains hour of need,in more ways than one,eg In WW1 British military authorities disipline was very harsh upon native Brits and less so upon the Commonwealth men,these men often rebelled on behalf of the Brits who found it impossible without grave consequences to stand up against the draconian rule of the redcaps,and lets not forget the many Aussies and Kiwis that flew with the RAF and continue to do so,Cheers!