Anzac Day

Anzac Day is a Very solemn occcasion for all of us in Australia and New Zealand.
The opportunity to bear witness to sacrifice, the injustice of war, and courage of the soldiers and those who stayed behind is one my family have always every year taken the opportunity to acknowledge.
When Sebastian and Ishta were very little the anzac day parade was one of wonder.
Ishta rode on Simpsons donkey for part of the parade as a three year old, Sebastian wide eyed at the old vehicles and the uniforms and marching.
Big base drums booming and the bag pipes always well represented.
As the children grew we became engaged in the marches through representing schools, girl guides, I took my gumnut guide troop along to a particularly enormous gathering in Sangate, Ayla was gumnut guide, Ishta was a Brownie guide and Sebastian a cub scout.

From this beginning Sebastian as School councillor represented Humpybong state school at the Anzac day parade and made a speech and laid a wreath, Ishta in school Blazer representing Clontarf High, then when a cadet at RCU 16 Sebastian was one of the Catafalque party, those guys who stand to attention around the shrine on Anzac day, all day without movement or emotion.

Each of the children have supported and acknowledged the remembrance day tradition.

When Ishta was 11 she would ride her bike to meals on wheels during her holidays to help in the kitchen and also deliver meals to our infirm and aged members of the community, she would come home with stories of war time shared with her by those who witnessed it. After a performance as a member of the treble clef choir performing for the clients in aged care facilities she would listen intently to tales of the Anzac sacrifice, and share with us the emotionally charged tales.

The Dawn ceremony on the shores of Moreton Bay as the sun rises over Moreton Island breaking another perfect day. The waves gently lapping the shore, and the shuffling of feet, a throat clearing, as we stand in silence, a biplane buzzes overhead, and a digger in hushed tones says, "it's alright men ,stand fast, it's one of ours"
Ill never forget that moment, the eyes of the children looking up at me when they realised the emotion in that one sentence and all it held, a gentle turning at the corners of their mouths stifling a giggle but understanding this was a serious moment, enjoying the joke quietly.
Demelza and Cenedra have both joined the march through the streets as members of the parade representing their schools.
Just recently we took the girls to the war memorial and witnessed the plane and submarine exhibits,.. very dramatic, the whole place is amazing and often tears well up at the recounting of the loss,and absurdity of war and mans inhumanity to man.

Anzac day this year is quiet, no children to share it with, I'm in the National Capital, on Anzac Day in bed with the flu! Shaun and I listened to the dawn service, and watched the televised version. Our hearts were with those we remember, and as a mark of respect I kept my germs away from the crowds.