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This morning I woke just before dawn. It is Anzac Day here in Australia. Normally I would go for a walk and greet the day with gratitude for my Dad and all the other many, many men and women who served the armed forces in their country, many who gave their lives for democracy and freedom. I remember Memorial Day in Ohio, the parade with soldiers and the finish at the cemetery. Many stones would be decorated with recently laid wreaths and flowers and a small American flag.
I remember it, but I didn’t fully connect with the meaning until moving to my adopted country. Those small town remembrances, like the ones here in Australia connect us to our heritage. The fourth stanza from The Poem for the Fallen by Laurence Binyon is read here, its words ubiquitous for all who have passed and all who grieve, remember and honour…
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
We will remember them.”
I have attended ANZAC services but mostly I remember in my own way in the quiet pre-dawn hours. In my current state of incapacity I lay in bed, feet still trapped in my Frankenstein sandals, and admired the changing light outside the windows. Such a joy to be able to see trees and sky from the bed just now when I can’t walk out and find it. And then…quietly in the distance I heard the bugle sounding The Last Post from a nearby ceremony. I thought of the words above and the words that always follow them “Lest We Forget”.
ardysez 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them . . .
Thank you for your simple words on the day I most love being Australian . . . Lest we forget . . .
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Yes, I agree, the simple poignant ANZAC ceremony is one I love too, for the connection it provides. Thank you Eha.
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How wonderful you could hear the bugle this morning and admire the changing light… I was at our village’s dawn service but with you in spirit, I think with those things as my focus, followed by the magpies and kookaburras singing in the day.
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I know! So wonderful to hear that bugle this morning. It was warm enough to sleep with the door open last night too, and so I could also hear the morning chorus…no Maggies or Kookas, but nice nevertheless. Thanks Dale. x
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Thank you for sharing. Hugs and prayers.
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Thank you Bettyann, hugs to you as well. xx
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This is the perfect opportunity to tell you that I just watched a Netflix travelogue called “Almost Australian.” It’s hosted by an actress named Miriam Margolyes (she was apparently in the Harry Potter films). She recently became an Aussie citizen and this series purports to be her way of getting to know more about her new home country. The second episode features Alice Springs, and Miriam spent two days there. She visited Anzac Hill, and also met with some of the indigenous people and rode along with the patrols that go around each night to round up teenagers who might be getting into trouble (which you wrote about recently). I was thrilled to get a look at your Australian hometown. If you haven’t heard of this series, you might want to take a look…I think there are only a few episodes in total.
Hope you’re continuing to heal!
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Yes! I am very familiar with that program. Watched it last year at home in Alice. Like anything it didn’t tell the full story but at least it gives an idea. Miriam has played many character roles in British and other productions in her career. She also did another travel series in India I think. I’m only a couple of days away from having the stitches out of my feet, but will still need to wear these sandals for another week after. I have a love/hate relationship with the darned things! Will write about it later. Thanks for reading and commenting Kim.
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How lovely to hear the bugle. Doesn’t the The Last Post have a haunting quality? Terry and I went to a service at his aged care residence, which was a good way to remember the ANZACs. I often go for a walk to the Women’s Peace Garden, but it was important to be with Terry.
I am glad you are closer to being able to get rid of your ‘sandals’!
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