Lest we forget

[Talkwrench]

Thanks grandad.
I know you never liked ANZAC day and no one can blame you. It's our time to remember and say thanks and all men and women that have served and not just the Great War those still serving along with nurses and all support that goes with all wars.

Proud to have you as my grandad .
Len Baker 15859. Joined 3rd april 1916 in
New Zealand.

[colin1928]

Thanks to all who served

[Talkwrench]

On his form it says declared age. 20. He was a lot younger than that..

[Barry-ct]

I know our holidays here in the U.S. tend to overshadow the rest of the world's holidays, but I for one appreciate what the Australian's and the rest of the Commonwealth countries contributed during the second World War and what you contribute today. It take all of us to combat global terror all around us. Always be proud of your country's contribution. I am!

[Binx]

Some veterans wear their title as a crown and adore the accolades while others do so quietly and humble. Their prerogative and well earned.

Lonnie

[Ol' Ron]

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My Uncle Joe Hennessy served in Australia during the war, while your army was in Europe. Always said how much e loved ya all.

[Bulligen]

My Grampa was a Doughboy in the Great War and he said he met some lads from Australia and Scotland in France and they were good friends to him! Thank your veterans for our teamwork!

[Brian]

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the R.S.A.,
Telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his mates;
They were heroes, every one.
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbours
His tales became a joke,
All his mates listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Jack has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For an ANZAC died today.
He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho an ANZAC died today.
When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
The Media tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of an ANZAC,
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some smoothie who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?
The politician's stipend
And the style in which they live,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that they give.
While the ordinary ANZAC,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small..
It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever-waffling stand?
Or would you want an ANZAC
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common soldier,
Who would fight until the end?
He was a worthy ANZAC,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his likes again.
For when our countries are in conflict,
We find the ANZAC's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honour
While he's here to enjoy the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, An ANZAC DIED TODAY."

[Manuel]

That poem is brilliant Brian.
Have not seen/heard that one before.

Manuel in Oz

[Talkwrench]

Yes moving, Thank you Brian.
I would like to thank the Turkish people. Although enemies at the time they welcome us back and show us peace and hopefully in the future there will be more of this. A world with peace would truly be something.

[Terranova]

My dad was in Korea in '55. Said one of the worst scuffles he was ever in was in the mess "on base" in the mess when somebody told a group of Aussies the 'queen mum' was ugly. He said he'd never been hit so hard in his life! Thanks for all you've done through all the wars.

[FL&WVMIKE]

There was a movie out, titled "ANZAC". I believe that Mel Gibson was in it, if I remember correctly. Well worth finding.
MIKE (mikeburch)

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by Talkwrench

Yes moving, Thank you Brian.
I would like to thank the Turkish people. Although enemies at the time they welcome us back and show us peace and hopefully in the future there will be more of this. A world with peace would truly be something.

Yes I was watching a program on TV about the Dardinelles. It was commented that the The Turks and ANZACs had one thing in common, they were both subserviant. They were to to Germany as we were to Britain. It went on to say that this campaign defined them as a nation as well as New Zealand /Australia.

GB

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by Barry-ct

I know our holidays here in the U.S. tend to overshadow the rest of the world's holidays, but I for one appreciate what the Australian's and the rest of the Commonwealth countries contributed during the second World War and what you contribute today. It take all of us to combat global terror all around us. Always be proud of your country's contribution. I am!

No.. we appreciate what you contributed to WWII without the US stepping up to the plate in 1941 (and prior to that supplying "fighting equipment" when the Empire stood alone), the world could be a very different place both in the Pacific and Europe.

GB

[Talkwrench]

Agreed, we should stick together..
The queen mum wasn't a looker was she..?

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

There was a movie out, titled "ANZAC". I believe that Mel Gibson was in it, if I remember correctly. Well worth finding.
MIKE (mikeburch)

You might be thinking of the film Gallipoli released in 1981. That starred a very young Mel Gibson.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli_%281981_film%29

GB

[Ian NZ]

100 years ago, Kiwi troops landed on a Turkish beach,
Many would never return home'
Their name liveth for ever more,
We will remember them.

[Lawrie]

We did the dawn service at Thargomidah,(look on a map)bloody great,the local shire put on a free breakfast ,dinner and wait for it free drinks at the pub,played two up,lost a few $$
We layed a wreath for my Granddad,fought in Gallipoli, France and Pahendale,wounded in France.
Got gassed and only lived to 54 yrs.
Lawrie

[Talkwrench]

The gas was bad .. my mum used to get angry with poor old grandad when she would take him to town , but later she felt so guilty because the ongoing effects of mustard gas would make him sick, I believe he may of had some of his stomach removed? from memory grandad was 92 or 94 when he died, tough ol' bugger he was he lived by himself till he was 85..