ANZAC DAY

[catalyst]

Tomorrow here in Australia is ANZAC DAY. If anyone really wants to know more about it, here is a link http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anz ... dition.asp

It sums up the gist of it I suppose, but to me as an Aussie having had family serve and also, albiet only in Civ. capacity also served, it does mean much more.

None of the original ANZACS are alive anymore, nor are there too many, IF ANY of our Diggers from WWII remaining to pass on the importance of the dedication and respect we should hold as to the men and women who fought and have served in our Armed Services. What ever reasons wars were and continue to be fought, be it right or wrong, it is up to us to appreciate just what these selfless men and women did and STILL continue to do for the country. They choose the vocation, but not the destination. We all should be backing the soldier, even if we don't back the war.

Tomorrow morning at the local Dawn Service, I will be marching with my daughters and my hubby to show respect and appreciation. We will be proud to wear the medals my own Grandfather EARNED during his time on the Kokoda Trail in WWII and I truly hope we do him proud. I doubt he would ask any more than that.

This thread is dedicated to ALL the troops, anywhere and everywhere.

Love and appreciation to you all.

Cat..xx

[cnorman18]

Tomorrow here in Australia is ANZAC DAY. If anyone really wants to know more about it, here is a link http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anz ... dition.asp

It sums up the gist of it I suppose, but to me as an Aussie having had family serve and also, albiet only in Civ. capacity also served, it does mean much more.

None of the original ANZACS are alive anymore, nor are there too many, IF ANY of our Diggers from WWII remaining to pass on the importance of the dedication and respect we should hold as to the men and women who fought and have served in our Armed Services. What ever reasons wars were and continue to be fought, be it right or wrong, it is up to us to appreciate just what these selfless men and women did and STILL continue to do for the country. They choose the vocation, but not the destination. We all should be backing the soldier, even if we don't back the war.

Tomorrow morning at the local Dawn Service, I will be marching with my daughters and my hubby to show respect and appreciation. We will be proud to wear the medals my own Grandfather EARNED during his time on the Kokoda Trail in WWII and I truly hope we do him proud. I doubt he would ask any more than that.

This thread is dedicated to ALL the troops, anywhere and everywhere.

Love and appreciation to you all.

Cat..xx

Hear, hear, and amen to every word of this.

Rudyard Kipling said it best, a long time ago:

(for those who don't know, "Tommy" is British slang for a soldier.)

Tommy

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

---

The freedom of free people has been bought and paid for with blood, and it is kept because good men - and women - stand ready to shed it again.

I once saw a young man with his right sleeve pinned up leaving a church service. As he shook hands with him left-handed, the pastor asked kindly, "Did you lose your arm in the war?"

The young man said, "No, Reverend. I gave it. For the United States of America."

I do not say which war. It doesn't matter.