Re: ANZAC Day, down under
I have just returned from my annual ANZAC day out. <br />This consisits of meeting with 3 of my mates, then going on the march to the ceremony, then after that we enjoyed 7 hours of solid drinking and yacking. It is amazing. The older we get, the better we were. Needless to say, I am ever so slightly emebriated at the moment.<br />I have an afterthought, Hayden, who is now 12 yrs. He is a great measure for us all as he is 8 years younger than we were when we went to a war.<br />One of us was a Bird Dog pilot, one a Sapper, one a Forward Artillery Observer and one a Medic.<br />The Hyms we sang and the prayers that were said seem to be more upsetting the older we get. ( I have to get over that). Ironic isn't it.<br />This year the WW2 vets, who lead the march off, are down to a handfull of 3-4 chaps. The Korean Vets wouldn't number 10 and the Viet Viets number no more than 50. <br />Those from conflicts since then are minimal, which suits us just fine.<br />This years speaker spoke of young soldiers who fought for freedon/peace etc, yet we decided, hours after...probably in an slightly emebriated state....that we went because it was a great adventure and we didn't want to be "left out". Quite a contrast isn't it?.<br />Anyway, I'm pleased the day is over, but by the end of the week I'll be looking forard to next years ANZAC Day. <br />I will never regret the experience of war, yet hope my children never have to experience war. <br />Once you have been there, it certainly sets you apart, and I guess you had to be there to understand.... but so what.<br />Cheers <br />Phillip
