You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye,
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know,
The hell where youth and laughter go. -Siegfried Sassoon.
General David Petraeus stood 0nly feet away from me at the service. Australian soldiers mingled with others from all over the world. Turkish soldiers were present and one Turkish officer quoted Ataturk who famously said,
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"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 to us 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. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."
Ataturk, 1934
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I was particularly captivated by an Admiral from Norway. Seriously, he looked like the salty sea dog from the Birdseye Fish Fingers ads. White beard, all neatly trimmed, perfect white uniform. I could not have imagined an Admiral who looked more nautical.
After the service we had mingled together at breakfast, held at the Officers Club. I sat next to a U.S Marine who was telling me how he had sailed on a ship, into Anzac Cove, on the morning of April 25, one particular year. What an experience, one that I would so much like to have for myself one day.
Our small town does not have a dawn service, or a parade of proud diggers, so It was up to me and the Colonel to remember them in our own small way.
I had to work today, horror of horrors, and what a shocking day it was. It seems that on weekends we are always terrifically busy and there are never enough staff. I am forced to run myself ragged around the store, but that, dear reader, is a topic for a whole other blog post. Look for it under labels that include the word 'slavery' among other choice words. *smile*
A highlight of the day was when a couple came in and identified my accent. Most often people think I am English, so it was nice to be recognised as an Aussie. They had spent some time Downunder and even wished me a happy Anzac Day. Bless. What nice people.
I cooked up some lamb chops and smothered them in tomato sauce, (ketchup), then finished my Anzac Day meal with a very lovely piece of Chocolate Ripple Cake. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
Thank you to all the Aussie service members, past and present.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Ode to remembrance-Laurence Binyon
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