Anzac Day!

HighPhi · 04-24-2008, 06:50 PM

Why is this day special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 14 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the "ANZAC legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and future

HighPhi · 04-24-2008, 06:52 PM

What is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

the.fatman.cometh · 04-24-2008, 07:14 PM

Right on, so I guess you're an honorary digga on that day?!

HighPhi · 04-24-2008, 07:24 PM

nah dude, the digger title is strictly one that only the men and women who served are previlliged to get.

i specially leave that title for them to show my respect of what they when throu

the.fatman.cometh · 04-24-2008, 07:26 PM

Right on, man, right on. Hit that blunt and pass it to the left!

HighPhi · 04-24-2008, 07:27 PM

its on its my brother man...

StillSmoking · 04-25-2008, 01:58 PM

Great post brother. I didnt get down to the Dawn service this year. I was pretty bumbed about that. But we all payed respects with our silence. If it wasnt for those who came and died before us, We may not have known the life we have now. Much thanks goes out to them one and all. To the families who lost their kids and to the kids who lost the parents your loss will never be forgotten. Lest we forget.

I saw a kid marchin’ with medals on his chest.
He marched alongside Diggers marching six abreast.
He knew that it was ANZAC Day - he walked along with pride.
He did his best to keep in step with the Diggers by his side.

And when the march was over the kid was rather tired.
A Digger said “Whose medals, son?” to which the kid replied:
“They belong to daddy, but he did not come back.
He died up in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track”.

The kid looked rather sad then and a tear came to his eye.
The Digger said “Don’t cry my son and I will tell you why.
Your daddy marched with us today - all the blooming way.
We Diggers know that he was there - it’s like that on ANZAC Day”.

The kid looked rather puzzled and didn’t understand,
But the Digger went on talking and started to wave his hand.
“For this great land we live in, there’s a price we have to pay
For we all love fun and merriment in this country where we live.
The price was that some soldier his precious life must give.

For you to go to school my lad and worship God at will,
Someone had to pay the price so the Diggers paid the bill.
Your daddy died for us my son - for all things good and true.
I wonder if you understand the things I’ve said to you”.

The kid looked up at the Digger - just for a little while
And with a changed expression, said, with a lovely smile:
“I know my dad marched here today - this is ANZAC Day.
I know he did. I know he did, all the bloomin’ way”.

D. Hunter
(A veteran of Shaggy Ridge with the 2/12 Battalion in WW2)

Calcutta · 07-31-2008, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StillSmoking

I saw a kid marchin’ with medals on his chest.
He marched alongside Diggers marching six abreast.
He knew that it was ANZAC Day - he walked along with pride.
He did his best to keep in step with the Diggers by his side.

And when the march was over the kid was rather tired.
A Digger said “Whose medals, son?” to which the kid replied:
“They belong to daddy, but he did not come back.
He died up in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track”.

The kid looked rather sad then and a tear came to his eye.
The Digger said “Don’t cry my son and I will tell you why.
Your daddy marched with us today - all the blooming way.
We Diggers know that he was there - it’s like that on ANZAC Day”.

The kid looked rather puzzled and didn’t understand,
But the Digger went on talking and started to wave his hand.
“For this great land we live in, there’s a price we have to pay
For we all love fun and merriment in this country where we live.
The price was that some soldier his precious life must give.

For you to go to school my lad and worship God at will,
Someone had to pay the price so the Diggers paid the bill.
Your daddy died for us my son - for all things good and true.
I wonder if you understand the things I’ve said to you”.

The kid looked up at the Digger - just for a little while
And with a changed expression, said, with a lovely smile:
“I know my dad marched here today - this is ANZAC Day.
I know he did. I know he did, all the bloomin’ way”.

D. Hunter
(A veteran of Shaggy Ridge with the 2/12 Battalion in WW2)

I read just read this post above and it bought a tear to my eye, so i got few nice words to go along with it

it brought a tear to my eye
just to think how lucky we are
if it wernt for the digga's that fought all night
our men in WW2 who stuck up for our rights
pearl harbour should never have been told
too many of our men lost on the kokoda trails
but if it wernt for the many men who braved there lives
we wouldnt have this beautiful country that we all call home,

Many Many Thankyou's to all who served in the airforce army and navy, my thoughts will always be with you, not just the men in action but all the men in the merchant navy aswell, you guys where the bravest of the lot, piloting unarmed vessels into dangerous territories just to feed our men,

(I got quite few yarns from merchant navy as my grandfather was on a ship, he got torpedoed off danger bay and was only bout half dozen survivors, as his papers say he was disharged at sea, also got nother yarn from merchant navy, did any of you ever know that a ship lost an elephant??? it feel off the ship in tasmania) My thoughts will always be with you and the many other men who served for us and our future generations,

LEST WE FORGET

ileso · 07-31-2008, 07:51 AM

thankyou mate.

igot shivvers all over,
i got goosebumps down my spine.
even far away ill never forget
and bake the buiscuits every time

makes me proud to be australian

StillSmoking · 08-20-2008, 04:32 AM

Yare, we love our diggers here in Oz,
There Ozzies through and through.
These fellas are the hero's of our nation.

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Anzac Day!

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