rdhopkins2
Carpe Diem
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2002
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- Melbourne
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What does ANZAC Day mean to you? Did you have family that fought in The Great War, WWII, Vietnam? Perhaps you have family or friends currently enlisted and serving in the Australian Armed Forces? Pass on your stories to share with us.
My Grandpa fought in Borneo and Vietnam. Very hard to get information out of him. One of those things he wouldn't talk about and you had to respect that. Later died from war related injuries/illness though he did live to 79.
ANZAC Day 2010...remembering the ultimate sacrifice men and women have made fighting for Australia and the legacy of freedom bestowed upon us.. Anyone who doesn't take time out to acknowledge their memory is more than welcome to head to North Korea. Even more so, we should ask can we find a more peaceful solution to conflict and learn from history. Lest we forget on ANZAC Day 2010. RH.
I was fortunate enough to have visited Gallipoli in 2006 so those with FB can look at a few of my ramblings there. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/note.php?note_id=5505759478&comments
At first glance, such a beautiful place that it's hard to fathom just how much of a hell on earth it once was all those years ago. But visit the many memorials and museums in the area and you soon find out.
For those with no FB, here is something I wrote about my experience.
Gallipoli- A reflection ANZAC Day 2006
Pitiful death makes a grown man chunder,
Bloodied corpses of headless soldiers,
Ghosts of battallions sent to open graves,
Longing for peace & recourse of the Hague.
Snipers silently target their kill,
Pull on the trigger, another 16yo digger lies still,
Mustard gas hurled deep in trenches,
Thousands of soldiers choke beneath wooden benches,
The leaders of war...such absolute dills...
Who said war is an incredible thrill?
Gallipoli's ANZAC's- the legend lives on,
Our brave noble men- that never came home,
Like cattle lead to be slaughtered,
Died for their country- did what they 'oughta'.
Memories terrorise and are hard to forget,
Apologies accepted, forgiveness harder to cement,
We won't forget what happened, strive to learn from our mistakes,
Sacrifice never forgoten, our eternal keepsakes.
LEST WE FORGET.
---------------
Author's note:
Having spent one night of my life under the stars of ANZAC Cove it is impossible to exactly fathom what went on there in 1925 between April and December but being there gives you at least some idea. Those killed or wounded at Gallipoli include 27,594 Aussies, 7247 Kiwis and 195,000 Turks. That is just the start of the figures.
I'll leave you to learn more of about Gallipoli yourselves but I highly recommend visiting if you get the chance. I'll go on record as saying it was the most memorable day of my life albeit a very moving and sad one too. I'm glad I went to remember and to pass on the legacy to my kids one day.
To some up the current day relations let me quote the man who went on to defeat the Allied invasion.
''Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.''
—Mustafa Kemal
To the modern day people of Turkey, I thank you for your kindness and hospitality during my visit. I'm proud to be an Aussie that has visited your country for 3wks and had a chance to experience firsthand how great you are.
To Gooldy- Catching up with you on the shores of a foreign land where so many people were lost will be forever etched in to my memory. Thanks for sharing it with me. One of many highlights in our lives as best mates!
To Lisa McD- your still a sweetie even though we may no longer be together...thanks for sharing the experience with me. We learnt so much to take home and I know our friendship can only be perpetual because of that. Gellibolu, hiç,asla unutmak arkadaŞsiz
Let we forget.
Russ
My Grandpa fought in Borneo and Vietnam. Very hard to get information out of him. One of those things he wouldn't talk about and you had to respect that. Later died from war related injuries/illness though he did live to 79.
ANZAC Day 2010...remembering the ultimate sacrifice men and women have made fighting for Australia and the legacy of freedom bestowed upon us.. Anyone who doesn't take time out to acknowledge their memory is more than welcome to head to North Korea. Even more so, we should ask can we find a more peaceful solution to conflict and learn from history. Lest we forget on ANZAC Day 2010. RH.
I was fortunate enough to have visited Gallipoli in 2006 so those with FB can look at a few of my ramblings there. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/note.php?note_id=5505759478&comments
At first glance, such a beautiful place that it's hard to fathom just how much of a hell on earth it once was all those years ago. But visit the many memorials and museums in the area and you soon find out.
For those with no FB, here is something I wrote about my experience.
Gallipoli- A reflection ANZAC Day 2006
Pitiful death makes a grown man chunder,
Bloodied corpses of headless soldiers,
Ghosts of battallions sent to open graves,
Longing for peace & recourse of the Hague.
Snipers silently target their kill,
Pull on the trigger, another 16yo digger lies still,
Mustard gas hurled deep in trenches,
Thousands of soldiers choke beneath wooden benches,
The leaders of war...such absolute dills...
Who said war is an incredible thrill?
Gallipoli's ANZAC's- the legend lives on,
Our brave noble men- that never came home,
Like cattle lead to be slaughtered,
Died for their country- did what they 'oughta'.
Memories terrorise and are hard to forget,
Apologies accepted, forgiveness harder to cement,
We won't forget what happened, strive to learn from our mistakes,
Sacrifice never forgoten, our eternal keepsakes.
LEST WE FORGET.
---------------
Author's note:
Having spent one night of my life under the stars of ANZAC Cove it is impossible to exactly fathom what went on there in 1925 between April and December but being there gives you at least some idea. Those killed or wounded at Gallipoli include 27,594 Aussies, 7247 Kiwis and 195,000 Turks. That is just the start of the figures.
I'll leave you to learn more of about Gallipoli yourselves but I highly recommend visiting if you get the chance. I'll go on record as saying it was the most memorable day of my life albeit a very moving and sad one too. I'm glad I went to remember and to pass on the legacy to my kids one day.
To some up the current day relations let me quote the man who went on to defeat the Allied invasion.
''Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.''
—Mustafa Kemal
To the modern day people of Turkey, I thank you for your kindness and hospitality during my visit. I'm proud to be an Aussie that has visited your country for 3wks and had a chance to experience firsthand how great you are.
To Gooldy- Catching up with you on the shores of a foreign land where so many people were lost will be forever etched in to my memory. Thanks for sharing it with me. One of many highlights in our lives as best mates!
To Lisa McD- your still a sweetie even though we may no longer be together...thanks for sharing the experience with me. We learnt so much to take home and I know our friendship can only be perpetual because of that. Gellibolu, hiç,asla unutmak arkadaŞsiz
Let we forget.
Russ
