Anzac Day 2012

Anzac (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is a National Day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand to commemorate all who have served and died in military operations for their countries.  It is honoured every year on the April 25th, the day of the landing in Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 during World War I.

Every year since Jacob was born we have attended the Anzac Day Parade/March in Brisbane City.  We have often talked about going to the Dawn Service at 4am but for various reasons we have never actually done it.  We thought it would be too cold for Jacob as a baby, then we worried he would be too cranky during the service because we had woke him so early, then Bella was a new born and then and then and then, well you get the picture.

This year I discovered that the local RSL Club in Wynnum was holding its very own dawn service.  Wynnum RSL is less than a 3 minute drive for us, which was perfect for and left us no excuse not to attend a service.

Jacob had quite a clear understanding of Anzac Day this year as we had been reading “My Grandfather Marches on Anzac Day” by Catriona Hoy during the lead up to Anzac Day and of course his class had been talking about it at school.  So he already knew what the Dawn Service was and he was eager to attend.  The night before, we packed the kids off to bed early and set the alarm for 3.15am. 

Sure enough the alarm went off at 3.15 and it was surprisingly easy to get out of bed, I got myself dressed, woke up Jason followed by the kids.  They were both excited to be awake and eating breakfast “in the middle of the night”.

After a quick breakfast we got them dressed in some warm clothing and off we went on the short drive to the RSL.  When we arrived I was amazed at how many people had turned out and how far from the venue we had to park the car.  Just being a little local event I expected around 100-150 people to show up, in reality the number was more like 350-400 people, which gave for a good feeling of community spirit.  The community, young and old had come together to honour its hero’s.

The service was at times emotional and you couldn’t fail to shed a tear.  The kids behaved impeccably and even remained quiet during the minute’s silence.  After the service, the RSL provided toast and biscuits and the traditional Gunfire Breakfast of rum, milk and coffee, and yes this was as disgusting as it sounds and I couldn’t drink it.

We then headed for home where we all hopped in to mummy and daddy’s bed where we tried in vain to get the kids back to sleep or at least rest until it was time to head in to the city for the Parade.  The kids were however in no mood for resting and the lack of sleep sent them a little feral.

Jacob Applauding the Marchers

I’m not going to give a blow by blow account of our trip to the Parade in the city but there were a few memories from the day that will stay with me and I would like to share.

Firstly there was the young man who was marching wearing what I presumed to be his Grandfathers medals.  He was overcome by emotions and I got to wondering what his story was.  Perhaps he was just an emotional individual, perhaps it was the first time his grandfather or relative couldn’t march and he had taken their place, perhaps the person he was marching for had recently died.  I don’t know what his story was but witnessing how overwhelmed he was got me a little emotional too.

Then there was the very old guy who was being driven in a military vehicle clearly too weak to manage the walk and despite the cheering and clapping he was sound asleep in the passenger’s seat.  It’s a memory that will stay with me.

The most emotional moment for me and certainly the most memorable was another old gentleman who was being driven in some sort of military vehicle, he was applauding the crowd and yelling out to everyone “Thank You so much for coming along, I really appreciate it”.  The man next to me summed it up in his reply, “No mate, thank you, you are all heroes”.  I couldn’t believe he was thanking us for sitting on the side of a walk way and cheering after the things that some of these hero’s had to see and do in their lifetimes.  It was a very touching moment.

Bella Spots the Marchers

By the evening we were all rather tired and a little cranky after the early start to the day but it was worth it.  It’s something that as a family we will continue to do each year as I believe it is important that kids learn to commemorate important events and show respect where and when appropriate.  This nation and indeed many nations have some amazing individuals who put their lives on the line daily to protect us all, of course that needs to be honoured.