This Year I am not going to be with our Older Son who is in Sydney with the Navy. But I am going to remember and think about what he will be doing. He will be joining the big Anzac parade in Sydney – the one that goes through the main street of Sydney. I so wish I could be there…
ANZAC Day Lest We Forget
I am not sure why or when ANZAC day started so I decided to do a bit of research….Wikipedia comes to the rescue!
Here Is A Bit About ANZAC Day:-
- National Day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand! (A= Australia, NZ = New Zealand)
- originally started by both countries every year on 25 th April to remember those that fought for us and dies for us
- To honour the men from Australia and New Zealand who were in the army (AC = Army Corps)
- A day to reflect those who went to Gallipoli and fought hard in World War 1
- It now takes on a day who remembers those who have died and served in all operations – fighting for their countries.
- The First official Dawn service was in Sydney in 1927
More information can be read about over at Wikipedia about ANZAC day…but here is a bit more info…the dawn service used to be for those the soldiers who returned, to remember those that they knew and lost their life. The day service used to be for family members. It once was a very basic (almost private) ceremony but now days there are many people who attend the Dawn service/Day Service in place of family members who either they knew had died, or who had fought in the war. Its a day of showing respect.
Our Older Son ~
ANZAC day service Bribie Island 2009
Dawn Service
Many years ago, our oldest son was in the Army Cadets. He attended a Dawn Service and we all went to support him. It was at Bribie Island and I still remember that day….it was cold. There was no sun to warm us up. There was no light to see but the lights that were provided for the service. I So wish I had a photo from that day?
The thing that really made an impact on our family – was the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. We could hear the waves on Bribie Island and all we could think about was “What about those waves that hit the shore line of Gallipoli and how those men had to get out of their boats, and not knowing what was going to happen but still they fought on”.
It was eerie. It Still plays in my mind when I think of ANZAC morning service.
At the same time it made the crowd really quiet. So very quiet. Even young children (babies) were very quiet. I remember the music being played, the flowers laid down (from different companies, families, friends) and I had goose bumps all over.
That Is The Real ANZAC
That is what I still think of as being the real ANZAC day – we have been to many Anzac day parades (with school and army cadets) yet that day was the real deal.
Wish I could be with my older son tomorrow when he marches down that street in Sydney. I will be there with my thoughts and my heart.
Our older Son ~
Bribie Island 2009 ANZAC day service
He sure is doing good, and we sure are proud of him.
LEST WE FORGET
- 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
Sharing A Previous ANZAC Army Cadets Parade….
This is from 2009 and our older son was standing out the front of the flag, holding a gun!!! He was only 14 years old yet he knew back then that he wanted to be part of the Military Forces – be it Army, or Navy….Navy won.
So VERY proud of him
He is now in Sydney, and is fully qualified with completing his training. He got dux of his course and dux of the intake.
So wished that his primary teachers could hear/read that….telling us that he would not amount to anything because he was such a “Trouble Maker”…now looking at him….SO WISHED I could tell them what he is doing in his life, and how well he is doing. He is focused and he is doing good.
He is our son and both David and I are so proud of him. Wish I could Shout That From The Roof Tops.
I wish that I could share a photo of David and our older son at his march out parade in January. You see Dave and our older son never got along at all… actually they hated each other until our son moved out. YET now they have come to understand each other. Now David is proud of his son, and his son is proud of how strict his Dad was when he was going through a few years of trouble!
Its gorgeous to hear how much they do like each other, and how much respect they both have for each other! Thanking those days are behind us – of when they couldnt stand to be in the same room as each other.
I know that in my heart I am very proud of our son, but yet I still wished he had chosen a career that was a bit more safer….yet how can a parent deny a child their own happiness?
He will be going out to sea soon – I thought that he would be on dry land for some time (with more studies) but he is keen to be out there, and they are keen to send him sailing.
All I Can Say – he must stay safe.
He must come home.
He must keep following his dreams, and being there for his family – because he is needed. He is a part of “New Life on the Road” even though he is not with us every day. He will always be “Yes, I Have Five Boys, No I have No Girls, Yes I am Busy, Yes I do have my hands full, Yes I am out numbered” …but guess what “This is my family and I am proud to be there Mum”
Where Will You Celebrate Anzac Day Lest We Forget Services?
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road/
Very moving to be reminded not only of those who have died in service but of those who are just entering it and of all their families. Glad to read your post Lisa.
Little Gumnut recently posted..The Faker Baker
Thanking you so much Sophie xxx
I understand how proud you feel about your son. We have a grandson in the Middle East. He is in the Air Force Reserves. We are so proud of him, too. We shall keep all of our military in our prayers.
Hi Wilma,
Gosh you must be so proud of your grandson in the Air Forces. May he stay safe forever more, and all the men in all of the forces.
Cheers
Lisa xxx
Hi Lisa . Have a read of my Post “Anzac Day -Honour in Defeat”
totalhealthforall.com/important-events/honour-in-defeat-anzac-day
This will give you some of the background to why we remember this important day
Doctor Bill
Doctor Bill recently posted..ANZAC Day – The Glorification of War ?
Sure did Doctor Bill – it was a great article! I did leave a comment on there – did you receive it?
Cheers
Lisa
First thing I would like to say is how happy I am that father and son now appreciate each other. That would have been so hard to cope with.
Second thing is I was really taken to that dawn ANZAC service on Bribie Island. The waves crashing would immediately transport you to that other beach on Gallipoli.
I felt the same when I was looking at poppies waving valiantly on the Spanish hilltops. Immediately they made me think of the fields of Flanders. I think this was so because we do not have poppies growing in North Queensland. The only time I have seen them is tucked into commemorative plaques at the Australian War Memorial. It was so amazing that I saw them on ANZAC day.
Great Post Lisa.
jan recently posted..Spanish Hospitality on Anzac Day
Hi Jan,
It sure is nice to now watch and see David and our older son become close, and learn to understand each other 🙂
The dawn service at Bribie Island was incredible – it was so spooky and one could imagine how it must have felt for the ones that did land at Gallipoli so many years ago.
It would be incredible to see the Poppies on the Spanish Hilltops – amazing that they are growing there so freely.
I love your journey of travelling to spain and how you are settling in 🙂
Cheers
Lisa