ANZAC Day

[Somerset]

Thank you for your service.

Lest we forget

Ken and Sue

 

[Free Christian]

Amen. John 15 v 13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

[Jash Comstock]

We had a few Australians over here a few months ago, but I guess they are all pulled out of Afghanistan for good. Great guys.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

Whenever I hear about the ANZAC's this song comes to mind:

[video=youtube;Wq0fF6oY6I4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0fF6oY6I4[/video]

 

[Free Christian]

Thanks for posting that Benjamin. Says it all.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

Thanks Brett

 

[Josh Williamson]

"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" was used as an anti-ANZAC song. Lyrics such as:

And now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
And I watch my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving old dreams of past glory
And the old men march slowly, all bent, stiff and sore
The forgotten heroes from a forgotten war
And the young people ask, "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question

However, over time, it has been adopted as a song that has become pro-ANZAC (this has also happened with 'I was only 19'). I wonder how the author feels about having the intent of his song changed.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

The song isn't so much "Anti-ANZAC" as it is anti-glorification of war.

 

[Josh Williamson]

No, it was very much "anti-ANZAC" as evidenced by the quote questioning the purpose of marching in the ANZAC parades. I've spent much time with serving members of the ADF, and they often laugh over the fact that this is a song that is against them, yet, in true Aussie spirit they claim it as their own and ignore the context. As an Australian, I always found it amusing that they'd play this song during the morning shows, and then the hosts would debate why an 'anti-ANZAC' song has become so much intertwined with the ANZAC tradition.

 

[Free Christian]

I guess its used now Josh as it also shows the harsh reality of war and the consequences of it upon those who served to those who have not.

 

[Somerset]

I think the best song about the Australian forces is the one by Slim Dusty about Kokoda.

 

[One Little Nail]

I have no problem attending an ANZAC day march as a civil remembrance ceremony, attended a moving one at
the Sydney Royal "Easter" Show several years ago with bugler & all, though what gets me upset is when churches, particularly Presbyterian churches, which should know better, bring these commemorations into the public worship
of Gods church against any Scriptural Warrant, thereby defiling the worship of God.

It seems some people think their thoughts & feelings are more important than God & what He has commanded.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

As a matter of interest I understand that ANZAC is really an Australian and New Zealand event. In the UK it is called Remembrance day. Correct?

 

[Josh Williamson]

Stephen, Remembrance Day / Sunday is in November. Australia also has Remembrance Day on November 11.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

Australia also has Remembrance Day on November 11.

I did not realise Australia also had rememberance day. I learnt something new on this website Remembrance Day | Australian War Memorial

 

[PhilA]

Stephen

There is also Australian National Memorial at Villers Bretonneux, France. I was there a few years ago. Last week I was at Pozieres where I believe the Australian forces suffered their greatest losses in the whole of WW1