The ANZACS

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Graeme

Good luck to you mate! and THANKS for your service!

Thanks alot Graeme, though I must confess, the first and only time I've marched, I didn't feel worthy enough to be marching amongst the warriors from WWII and onwards, especially considering "my" war was mainly fought against boredom and old sea mines.

Originally Posted by Emac44

I will be working on ANZAC Day Wild but will buy the Badges as usual for Legacy Badges from the RSL.

To our overseas Brethren Legacy is a Charity organisation attached to the Returned Services League. Legacy raises funds for the War Widows and Orphans of Australian Servicemen who didn't return to Australian and where either Killed in Action Missing or Died from Wounds. So the spirit of ANZAC still applies to the families of men and women who had been in the service of this country. And when we buy the Badges Wild and I are referring the money raised goes to Legacy. We still look after our own

Great to see you guys support Legacy, such a wonderful organisation. I'll never forget a few years back when we were selling badges in the middle of Adelaide in full dress uniform. An old lady came up to me and brought a badge saying that she buys one every year, especially because her son had been killed in Vietnam. This caught me off guard and I was left there speechless, to this day I regret that I didn't have something more substantial to say to her.

[Heinz]

Very touching anecdote Wildcat.

Legacy supported my Granmother for a long time as my grandfather contracted a disease of some sort when he was with RAAF and passed away.

It pleased me to still see others at the local shops buying the badges, hopefully will continue to do so. I know I always will.

[Wildcat]

On a different note and seeing as most of the Aussie's are reading this thread, check out SBS next Tuesday (22nd Apr) at 1300 for " Whispering Death: Beaufighter, Forgotten Warhorse"

A documentary about the WWII aircraft the Beaufighter, the crews who maintained them and the thousands who helped produce them in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The historic significance of the Beaufighter is immense, as along with the Kittyhawk, it was Australia's choice as its frontline attack aircraft. It was this craft that performed effectively in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, when the Allies attacked a Japanese landing party on March 3, 1943. One historian states that this battle was "the decisive aerial engagement of the war in the South West Pacific". (From Australia, in English) (Documentary Series) (Rpt) PG

Sounds good!

[A4K]

Thanks for your comments guys regarding the kiwis...and the sentiments are shared. We do give each other some stick at times, eh, but anyone who's lived in both countries knows just how akin we are.

There are no ANZAC parades or poppy flower pennants here in central Europe, but I always say a prayer for the boys on ANZAC day.

[Heinz]

Cheers Wildcat, I'll get a tape on for that one!

[Graeme]

Originally Posted by Emac44

So the spirit of ANZAC still applies to the families of men and women who had been in the service of this country.

Unfortunately Emac I think that recently the Department of Veterans Affairs have overstepped the boundaries of fair play. My widowed mother answered a phone call the other day from DVA, asking if her husband had smoked cigarettes post WWII. If she answered "yes" her pension would increase, their logic being that the ONLY reason that he would have smoked, was due to post traumatic stress.

My mother is an honest Christian woman, and answered "no". She was understandably shocked and appalled at their tactics.

[Emac44]

I don't know what to say about that Graeme but I would be contacting the Veterean's Affairs Minister and giving him what for over the telephone and explaining what occured. My own Mum and Dad had dealing with Veterans Affairs and found them reasonable to deal with. I hope I am wrong in this Graeme. I hope it isn't a new Bullshit agenda from the Rudd Government. And if it is send a complaint to the Liberal Party to get it investigated.

Wild I was working two different Afternoons before ANZAC Day many years ago. And on 2 successive years I ran into 2 vastly different Diggers. One was an Old World War One Digger. He was a bit lost and out of sorts. And he came up to me a bit confused and some what puzzled about what Train he needed to get home on. He was with another group of Veterans and his Local RSL Group and had become seperated from his mates. So me being me I took this Old Digger to one side. Got him seated and got one of the other boys to go get him a drink. I talked to Old WW1 Digger for over 1 hour until his mates showed up and claimed him. What that man had to tell me I was amazed. It was about the time when the TV Series ANZAC had just been released by Channel 9. He said he liked the Series but it was a bit far fetched in places

The second event came about when I saw this man trying to struggle up the steps at Central Railway Station in Brisbane. I was heading off to do another errand and was off duty. And I saw this bloke was a bit very badly winded and what appeared to be in a great deal of pain. So I went over to give him a helping hand to see if he was ok. Turned out he was an Ex 9th Divie Bloke who had been wounded in New Guinea in 1943 by a Japanese Hand Grenade going off near his stomache. He said to me he was in a lot of pain at the moment. and wondered how he could get down to the Platforms to catch his Train. I said to him. Just leave it to me Digger I will see you right. So Called one of the Lads over to get the Station Wheelchair which is kept in the First Aid Room. And you know what he said next Wild. He didn't want to put my mates and I to any trouble. I replied Digger there isn't going to be any Trouble. Just sit yourself in the Chair and I will see you right mate. Which is what occured.

I was always taught to take care of the Diggers mate. Giving time effort and respect doesn't take much in comparison what these men and women gave to us in return Wild

[Graeme]

Yes, ANZAC Day. And every year there is controversy. Usually it's over some department store's operating hours or a sporting event occurring on the 'sacred' day. But this year, it's balloons...

[Emac44]

I will side with the fact I will be working ANZAC Day. I will take the Diggers home on the Train as usual like I have done every ANZAC Day over the last 7 years. I will not comment on the Ballooning as I gather its not really an Issue Graeme. Sometimes the RSL is wrong about issues. I think this is another time the RSL needs to stop and think, The RSL has to realise that people in this country observe ANZAC Day as they see fit. And the Country can't stop because its ANZAC Day. Police Ambulance Fire Brigade Hosptials Public Transport all the major Infrastructure Employees are still at work despite ANZAC Day. I am not saying ANZAC Day hasn't importance. It certainly does have importance to all Australians. The ballooning issue is not important enough for me to comment

[Graeme]

Originally Posted by Emac44

The RSL has to realise that people in this country observe ANZAC Day as they see fit. And the Country can't stop because its ANZAC Day.

Exactly Emac!

[comiso90]

[Graeme]

Today...

[A4K]

"There's nothing wrong with retreating, after all the Anzacs did"...(quote)

...I am speechless....!

[Graeme]

This is brought up every year...

From...Marching against the tide - National - smh.com.au

WORLD War II diggers are resisting an RSL push to have more descendants of veterans join the Anzac Day march.
Many surviving diggers are concerned families could eventually take over the occasion.
Rats of Tobruk Association president Joe Madeley said it destroyed the meaning of Anzac to have children and non-veterans marching in the column.
And Terry McGuire, 82, secretary of the 26th Infantry Brigade Association, slammed the "carnival atmosphere" growing during Anzac Day marches.
"It is a dignified march in memory of the fallen and I feel it is disrespectful to have kids running around cheering," he said.
Norm Stockdale, secretary of the 39th Battalion Association, said too many families joining in would change the nature of the event.
"We restrict it to one family member per veteran but it is in danger of becoming an American style celebratory parade," he said.
He said: "Anzac Day is a solemn occasion. Anzac is all about those who went to war and came back. We march to honour those who didn't come back.
"Many youngsters who join the parade just want to get on TV and wave and
carry on."

At least the Tasmanian RSL Branch has the right idea!...

Tasmanian RSL not pushing Anzac marchers back - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

...Because inevitably, and eventually, there will be no veterans marching...

[Heinz]

I understand in some respects but not in others. Your are completly correct Graeme, who will there be to march eventually?