Blue and I always march on Anzac Day and attend the dawn service as well.
My grandson who is 10 and intelectually challenged asked if he could come with us this year. He has been reading up on Anzac Day and can tell you what it means and why.
He particularly asked to attend the dawn service as to him this is a very special part of the day because it was when the "kids went over the top".
There was some talk last year about not letting the young ones march. Well I for one along with Blue think this would be a big mistake as these "young" ones are the very same people who will carry on our traditions when we are gone.
My Connor will wear the medals of his great great uncle who was killed in New Guinea and march with such pride that I am sure my handkerchief will come in very handy.
He had Grandpa bring up on the internet where the uncle was killed and we were even able to find a picture of the cemetery in Lae where he is buried.
Don't discourage our kids, particularly if they show an interest in our traditions.
Just been to the dawn service on Magnetic is. , and its good to see all the kids turning up to honour the vets.Lets hope these kids don,t have to become vets themselves.Have to leave early as have to work.Will have a beer later in the day.Lest WE Forget.
I agree Ma. Kids need to understand and respect those who did what their country asked. And is still asking.
Coming from a family where the last 4 generations have served, and one didnt come home, some have been damaged, I can only plead that we dont turn this into a thing where the kids grow up thinking war is great excitement and wanting to go to war too.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Monday 25th of April 2011 12:36:14 PM
Well said Ma. I have just taken my 3 grandchildren to watch thier uncle march in his first home town march. Apart from being very excited, they also listened quietly to the 92 year old veteran sitting next to us. He showed them his medals, explained what they were about and thanked them for coming to watch the march.
If we dont allow kids to march, with the obvious pride they do, what will happen when all the vets are gone. There is a time and place for everyone and we need to encourage the younger generations so they never forget what has happened before them. My son wil be going overseas in November. Im not looking forward that but I will always be very proud of him.
WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM My grandfather was at Gallipoli. So many young chaps put their age up to enable them to go. My grandfather put his age down by 10yrs so he could go.
Attended our parade here today - not many old soldiers left around here - few in vehicles, probably about 30 marchers - the local schools had good representation of children marching, which I thought was lovely - also the local Girl Guides, even our local pony club in recognition of the horse's role in war. It was lovely to see, and clap for these brave men and women.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Love to go to the Dawn Service, but I was in small town of Mt Surprise and they only had a service at 10am so attended that with my Mum & Dad, Dad served in Korea, they had a small but beautiful service, some locals and some visitors like ourselves, but we were made very welcome.
The young generation should be educated about the tradition of ANZAC Day from the time they start school, and must be encouraged to carry it on. If they don't join the services they will certainly respect what it's all about. The emphasis in on "respect". Our troops are involved in wars and peace-keeping activities all the time, and in disaster recovery missions. Lest we all forget.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
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I was away over Easter............went to a dawn service..........few things I noticed was.....they had a highland Band playing in front of a March around the block where the service was .......primary children held the brigade banners in front of the WW2 diggers......there were prob over 40 men marching........what disappointed me was there was no vietnam diggers marching
the children were very active in the Service...reading history ..and singing.............the Service ended with the (scottish) lone piper playing on the hotel balcony..as the sun struck the WW1 Digger statue..in the middle of the Memorial Park
I think that attempt to ban the kids came from some old shell backs who tried in the 70's to ban Vietnam Vets from joining the RSL The widely held view back them was " If you didn't fight in the big ones" then you couldn't be seen as a true RSL member, this also applied to Korea Vets
My view the more the merrier so bring em in
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Pets are welcome but children must be leashed at all times
Hi Ma I am a Pom and a service brat too.
