What does ANZAC Day mean to you?

[Morrigu]

I really thought I understood the significance and sacrifice until we went to Gallipoli last year.

Standing on the same ground, the ages on the too may gravestones , looking at the enemy trenches so close to each other, visiting Lone Pine ( where a plaque for my hubby�s great grandfather � lost in battle and his brother lost at sea presumed dead were placed), and the Kiwi and Turkish memorials gave me a very different understanding.

Later that night as we sat in a restaurant/bar in Canakkale somewhat morose absorbed by the experience a group of Turkish women and men invited us to join them for a drink.

You are Aussie yes?
Yes we are
You have come to honour your fallen?
Yes we have
As have we � you are welcome in our country
Thank you
You know we would have welcomed you as visitors to our country without the loss of young life we both of us suffered
We understand this and say thank you
We talk of our countries and drink � some of us tea, some of us soft drink and many of us wine!

And in the end we raise a glass to the words of Atat�rk for without these words we all feel that such a civilised and reasonable discussion between us may probably not have occurred.

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.



LEST WE FORGET

[die4pies]

[pietillidie]

Some moving posts in this thread. Best wishes to those Nicksters for whom this is an important family day, and gratitude to all who put themselves on the line or bear the emotional toll - then and now. Respect.

[Piesnchess]

It means a fair bit for me, my Dad served right thru WW2 six years , and three of my great Uncles were killed in WW1. I am marching for them in Melbourne today, as I have done for a few years now, wearing their medals. I will reflect on the day at the Shrine, have a couple of beers at Y and Js, then back home down to the local RSL for lunch, and to watch the big game on the big screen in the Members bar. Dad was very anti war, as I am, and I reflect on the terrible loss of young lives in all wars, still happening today. Give peace a chance, as John Lennon said. Lest we Forget.

[The Prototype]

[Collingwood 4 eternity]

BUMP

For John Wrens annual thread

[Proud Pies]

My commen on Page 1 of this thread says what it means to me

[John Wren]

[Skids]

Huge day. My youngest daughter turns 13 tomorrow. She's 7th generation Aussie. Dad was in the SAS, lotsa uncles, cousins and other family have served.

Big day at the Daicos Bar in Greenwood WA watching the greatest team in the world dismantle Hirdys mob... Can't wait!

[John Wren]

less and less comments as the years go by but it is still a good read.

[Proud Pies]

[uncanny]

I have led a charmed life and not had to worry about fighting in a war.

I travelled up country on the weekend and stopped in at dad's home town where he grew up, Culgoa, for lunch on Good Friday.
There at the local picnic park was a simple memorial dedicated to the men of the district who had fought in the wars. Included in the names were those of my Uncles Tom and Kevin who had served in the navy and air force respectively in WWII.
Kevin is still with us but Tom passed away in 89. Neither of them spoke about their war time experiences to me when I was young. I admit that I have taken their efforts for granted, along with their fellow soldiers.
I try not to do that any more. Anzac Day provides me with a brilliant focus to aspire to continue to do this.
As a newcomer to this site, the stories on this thread have moved me. They reveal the fabric of people's family bonds, emotions and aspirations amongst the tumult of the wars that Australia has been engaged in.

Lest we forget.

[partypie]

My father died on Anzac Day aged 56
He served in New Britain as a member of the ill fated Lark Force and later recovered, retrained and joined the medical corps and served in New Guinea. He witnessed the aftermath of the Tol massacre and was mentioned in despatches. After the war he devoted himself to saving lives.
His dad served in WW1 on the Western Front. The both loved Collingwood and went to every game they could.
Dad loved catching up with his cronies and brothers in the members at Vic Park. These days he would have been treated for post traumatic stress disorder, but that was not the case back then.
Anzac Day and Collingwood have for many reasons been important to me.

[perthmagpie]

In mid 1914 my grandfather was renting a house in Turner Street across the road from the pocket at Vic Park. His landlord was none other than Mr.Wren. My grandad lost his job and eventually joined the infantry and moved out of Turner Street. He sailed to Alexandria and then was part of the landings on ANZAC Day. He got shot and was taken to a hospital ship in the Mediterranean
He hoped desperately to go home but went sent to the Somme to witness unspeakable carnage.

Every ANZAC Day I bring his soldier compass he carried in Gallipoli to the footy and remember him. He was a mad Pies supporter. Go Pies!

[Ian]

My grandfather went to England & France in WW1 - we still have his diary describing his trip from Australia to the battlefields in France....my father fought in Borneo and was in Sandakan around 2 months after the Japanese evacuated...I came to the Melb dawn services in 2011 where I wore his medals (my dad passed away in 2010), 2012 and will make the trip again next year on the 100th anniversary...I will go to centennial park cemetary on friday and place a poppy on my grandfathers and my fathers plaque....they fought for what makes this country the best place to live in....LEST WE FORGET.