When I was growing up ANZAC Day was always a big deal. My dad had been a returned serviceman having fought in New Guinea during WW2 and my Grandfather at Gallipolli in WW!
So it was with great pride that each year in our small town we as children would march proudly alongside our returned heroes and participate in the following solemn ceremony to commemorate our fallen heroes also.
Recently I found some gorgeous old photos that my oldest brother had taken on one of those Anzac days, and loved seeing my father calling the march and my sister marching proudly in her sporting house colours of Boronia. The quality of these photographs is quite poor so I apologize for that.
Our small town still hosts an Anzac Day march and ceremony albeit on a much smaller scale.
The returned servicemen, school children, and other people who march in honour of their family members all assemble at the memorial hall and then march along the main street up to Len Guy Park for the ceremony.
Our numbers have certainly dwindled, but the spirit of the occasion hasn't.
Many local residents and travelling visitors gathered in the park to take part in a moving ceremony that was beautifully conducted by senior students from the local school.
Many of the local groups laid floral wreaths as tributes to the fallen and a minutes silence was observed.
I hope that Anzac Day continues to be a special day in our small town, as so many men and women gave up so much to give us the wonderful life that we all so enjoy to day,
Lest We Forget !
Also this week our small town celebrated their annual race day, we didn't attend as we had our beautiful little granddaughters visiting with us and so instead went with our drone to a nearby field and took a couple of aerial shots of the course.
By all accounts it was a very successful race meeting with glorious weather, great racing and gorgeous fashions on the field. Maybe next year we may attend.
The weather over this last week has been just beautiful, lovely sunny days and nice cooler overnight temperatures.
The sunrises and sunsets have just been stunning.
That early morning light is just so eye catching and I love to see that early light hitting the trees and rocks near the house.
Equally as beautiful is the late sun setting in the west,
It truly is a beautiful world we live in and we really need to take the time to appreciate all that we have been given.
So until we meet again,
Take time to appreciate everything,
Look after your self and each other.
Cheers
Jane and Brian.
Your so right, we do really need to make the time to stop and appreciate our beautiful world. Good on your small town and its Anzac Day spirit.
ReplyDeleteYes Sherri, the spirit is alive and well now it's up to us to keep it that way.
DeleteCheers
Jane
Jane growing up we didn't really observe ANZAC Day. I was a small child when our vets came home from Vietnam and I do remember it not being a time when it was talked about.
ReplyDeleteThis changed when I left home and took myself off to a service. It was so very moving. I have been to an ANZAC Day service ever since.
I follow the services for different reasons now. My son, at the ripe old age of 27 is a returned vet. He marches in the Sydney parades each year in his uniform and with his squadron. Our original vets are gone but most definitely not forgotten. Let us not forget that we have young men and woman on current active duty doing us very proud.
We certainly will not forget the younger returned vets (and the young ones who sadly did not return).. Congrats to your son for his patriotism to his country and for his safe return.
DeleteWe too have a number of neices and nephews that chose the services,
Some returned and moved on to other careers and several are still there, some in the navy and some in the army.
We truly aplaud their dedication in keeping us all safe.
Take care Jane,
Jane.