Anzac Day

Saturday was a public holiday in Australia.
I know, a public holiday on a Saturday and no Monday off in lieu!! Liberating isn't it!

Saturday 25th April was ANZAC day.
ANZAC Day (Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) is kind of like 11am on the 11 November to the rest of us. A day of remembering the war dead of Australia and New Zealand. A day of military parades, wreath laying at cenotaphs, two up (a game I still don't understand) and a time of reflection.

There is a dawn service and then at 10.30am there is a parade through town centre. (I think every village and town has a parade.)

The war veterans from all wars march with their medals across their heart; the war widows march, proudly displaying the medals of the men they loved but who never returned; the army trainees march having never seen the front line and then the most amazing thing happens...... The sons, daughters and grandchildren of the deceased take their loved ones place in the parade so that we never forget.

It is a wonderful day! A day of never forgetting the sacrifices and bravery of the generations that came before you. People who fought for our freedom, for our liberty, for the right of some arse to swear at them because he couldn't take a short cut.

At the rising of the sun and the going down of the same, we will always remember them.