Anzac.........and...

[kiwi mike]

.....is it a really a year ago, that i mentioned ANZAC day! Whew!
Pat, Stefan, the twins, and I.......went to the Museum, last night, for about half an hour, to watch a short film. The scene was shown a bit of film, 1915. It was taken by a English man...at the time!! There are some scraps, at Gallingly, Mesopotamia , and Egypt. The scraps of film, was organised by....Pater Jackson. (The produser, "Lord of the Rins etc.) The scenes shown, was shown againts the Musuim! It's a bit slurry..(and dark)..but we found it very moving.
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/kiwimike_nz/MVC-062F.jpg ....the soldier on the right side, was wearing a "Lemon Squizer" hat. (similar to American's). A "Lemon Squizer" hat, as tradionally word with Kiwi Soldiers. http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/kiwimike_nz/MVC-064F.jpg....
And Lucille...........I'm sure that you are havins thougts about ANZAC day!

I'm tired!! See you again.............Kiwi Mike

[lucille]

I have indeed Mike, and was also thinking of you. Do you realise that if we didn't have the Kiwis with us we would be calling it AAC Day. It doesn't have the same ring about it as ANZAC does it?

My father was serving with the RAAF in Darwin when it was bombed, and that's another story, as like the Vietnam Vets who weren't recognised until some time after the conflict or war (which it was), the Defence Forces serving in Darwin weren't recognised until just some few years ago. This meant that Dad could never claim for war injuries or get any meaningful pension, and he died long before it was made public officially.

For those who are wondering why the news of the Japanese bombing Darwin to within an inch of its life was not released, the powers that be (the Government) felt it should not be made known that the Japanese had come so close to taking Australia.

It sure pisses me off, as Dad suffered from his war injuries physically and psychologically for the rest of his life, and the department of Veteran Affairs refused to compensate or even treat him at the Vet hospital. I didn't know him before he joined up, but he was a quiet gentle man who seemed to be living a lonely life when I had my time with him. I really never got to know him at all.

[Oak Kitten]

Mike, Wendy

My good friend, LCDR Lorrae Blunden, RAN was the prinicipal speaker at one of the ANZAC day ceremonies last year (I think it was last year, time flies so quickly!) I have never been to one, never having been to Australia - yet - but from everything I have heard, read or seen on television they are very moving and solemn ceremonies. Do people over there pay more attention to them than Americans so to our Memorial Day in May? Here Memorial day is regarded as the kick-off to the summer holiday season and precious few people even think about its real purpose - to honor those who have fallen in the service of their country.

BTW Wendy, I got the DVD about HMAS Sydney yesterday. Only watched the first few minutes, but will probably watch it this weekend after I have finished teaching my seminar.

Oak

[hoops]

bless those who have served their country well
peace
hoops

[kiwi mike]

Lucille, your father should be honored as a Solder! After all, Darwin was bombed by the Japanese....just the same as if they served in Europe, and Japan, etc. After all, your Dad was injured, and served well enoughs to be recognized.
Fortunately, my Dad didn't serve in the war. Dad was 39 when the war started, (1939, not 1941....), and by the end of the war, had 6 children! Including...me, in 1944!...Dad served as the "Home Guard".....an engineer, with explosives! Any way.........I will carry TWO poppies, in his memorier!
Pat and I, went to Sydney, to see Janis, 2004, at the RSL. (Our version, RSA!) We were VERY touched, in there memories, like, every day?.......
So........ Oak Kitten........I haven't been to America....(except briefly...2 hours!:cool: ), so I really can't comment! As Lucille says, ANZAC is a very speacel day. (Of course, some people really aren't interested!) The shops are closed, until midday...........10's of thousands of people come to play their respects.....from the top of the North Island, to the bottom of the South Island......grand parents, parents, children, grandchildren!
Incidently, I am very much againt war.........espeachly politicians! One of my faverate Anti War songs, was......."Dance With Me/Janis Ian",...I think, it sum's it up pretty well!
Anyway.....ANZAC Day..........http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_sub_cat_skin/news_anzac_day_index_group ........ http://tvnz.co.nz/view/photo_gallery_popup_skin/1734261
Kiwi Mike

[SongDragon]

Bless you, Mike. I didn't really hear of ANZAC day before this. Thank you for the links, and the pictures. And introducing me.

I still have to make my way to Australia and New Zealand one of these days.

~Song