ANZAC day

[huge72]

I have just returned from taking a party of our Air Training Corps Cadets to the village of Leighterton in Gloucestershire. There are several Australian and New Zealand WW1 Aircrew buried there as they carried out there training on the nearby airfield. We take part in the parade every year and this year was as expected the largest yet. With military reps from both High Commissions, 20 plus British Legion Standards including both Men's and Women's National Standards, RBL Bikers,40 plus Veterans, 3 Squadrons of Cadets, Air Scouts and Village School Children the turn out was superb. This small village puts on a special effort to honour those brave men who are so far from home. We will remember them.

[OffshoreSLF]

When I worked in Perth for a spell, I attended 2 ANZAC day parades in Kings Park. Although I had attended many remembrance day parades here in Scotland, I found the Australian ones very moving indeed. Perhaps it was the early morning, the fact I was in a different country, or what I don't know, but it is one of my very treasured memories from my short time in Australia.




Lest we forget.

[Whenurhappy]

Good to see the RAF was actively supporting the commemorations in Gallipoli - a C-17 was used to convey the marching troops and 32 Sqn moved the VIPs. There was also a heavily-bemedalled Wg Cdr lurking with Their Royal Highness on HMS Bulwark and also at Helles.

[rjtjrt]

So much quiet respect is shown in UK and Europe and Turkey for the fallen of various nations in both World Wars.
It says a lot about the peoples of all those countries, that they still hold such quiet and meaningful ceremonies.

[Buster Hyman]

Got to the Shrine at 04:15 and the closest I got was the Eternal flame. Took the kids for the first time & was joined by up to 80,000 others.

Just love the fact that they've kept it a simple, elegant service & whilst they acknowledge the dignitaries in attendance, none of those buggers get to speak!



(Image from The Australian)

[Whenurhappy]

So much quiet respect is shown in UK and Europe and Turkey for the fallen of various nations in both World Wars.

Yes, well, sort of. On Thursday night it's reported that the Prince of Wales, the Foreign Secretary, the NZ and Australian Prime Ministers and about 22 other heads of state and government had to sit through a 45 minute rant by the Turkish President at a Peace Symposium, in an auditorium that was full of carefully selected supporters who chanted through his speech and jostled the VIPs, so I was told by one of the aides present. This was followed by 'African Dictator' style motorcades from the Conference centre, shunting bystanders out of the way. Not the way ANZUK does things, I believe.

Oh, and something to remember, perhaps, during the Battle of Britain or Remembrance commemorations:

http://www.brookwoodcemetery.com/plo...burial-ground/

[Skeleton]

Thank you to the RAAF for the yearly fly-by of my house. This year a Wedgetail held, did 3 low orbits and we then watched the 2 F-18's join him, with what looked like an airborne spare and off they went in the direction of the Canberra War Memorial, was wonderful to see.

Lest we forget.