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        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Anzac Day
        
(Message started by: mummymac on Apr 25^th, 2008, 6:33am)

Title: Anzac Day
Post by mummymac on Apr 25^th, 2008, 6:33am

For all you from Australia and New Zeland

Happy Anzac Day - lest we forget

This is the verse of the ode that is said during the minutes of silence on Anzac Day:

The Ode

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. Lest we Forget

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by Becky on Apr 25^th, 2008, 6:42am

Happy Anzac Day [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by Kevin_M on Apr 25^th, 2008, 8:27am

A hearty salute to the immensely brave today from downunder.

The last great battle involving Kiwi troops, winter-spring 1944 at Monte Cassino, Italy, the Gustav Line. New Zealanders lost about half of all their servicemen that gave their lives during WWII at this one battle place far from home.

Quote:

An unholy battle for the monastery The Allies always expected to take Monte Cassino, but not at such a high price, says Saul David

From: The Sunday Telegraph London

Author: SAUL DAVID

The Story of the Hardest-Fought Battle
of World War Two

IF ANY Second World War battlefield comes close to matching the horror and ferocity of Stalingrad it is that of Monte Cassino in southern Italy. Fought over a six-month period in early 1944, in conditions reminiscent of the Western Front in 1914-18, it cost a total of 350,000 casualties and ended in a Pyrrhic victory for the Allies.

portion from an unrelated article.

Quote:

the Allies had to pit themselves against some of the most formidable defences ever seen.

And the strongest defences of them all was at the heavily fortified monastery at Monte Cassino, south-east of Rome.

It if could be overcome, a broad valley stretched invitingly towards Rome and the rest of Italy. But the valley was guarded by two mountain systems rising to 3,000 and 5,000 feet, and bounded by wide rivers.

The only way through was via a ridge which was overlooked by the great Benedictine monastery, while the town below and its approaches were protected by the steep-sided Castle Hill, crowned by the ruins of a medieval castle.

The Germans had made Monte Cassino the most impregnable defensive position in Europe. They had mined the river banks, fortified the town and scattered the surrounding heights with guns.

The winter of 1943-44 was the second most severe of the 20th century...

On a per capita basis (% of pop.) during WWII, New Zealand had lost the most servicemen among the western Allies.

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by John Michael Smith on Apr 25^th, 2008, 9:00am

They were tough, salty, and brave dudes.

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by Charlie on Apr 25^th, 2008, 8:10pm

Have a good day.

It was a helluva time.

Charlie

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by Jonny on Apr 25^th, 2008, 9:59pm

SALUTE!! [smiley=headbanger.gif]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b58_1209135692

(Scroll down for video)

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by George_J on Apr 25^th, 2008, 10:26pm

Greatest respects--and gratitude.

All the best,

George

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by AussieBrian on Apr 26^th, 2008, 2:26am

It's an important day to us. A day of remembrance, sadness, and great happiness that we live freely within a democracy that allows us to march publicly under flags.

There's less of the old fellas marching each year, but their place is being taken by children and I think this is a good thing.

Anzac day is not a celebration of war. It's when we remember our mates who can't march with us.

Title: Re: Anzac Day
Post by LeLimey on Apr 26^th, 2008, 6:50am

on 04/26/08 at 02:26:00, AussieBrian wrote:

Anzac day is not a celebration of war. It's when we remember our mates who can't march with us.

That's exactly how I feel about our Remembrance Sunday here. It's not glorifying war in anyway. It's saying thank you to those who fought and came back and to those who fought and fell. Acknowledging the debt we owe to those who gave everything for our freedom.

Be it Anzac day, Veterans Day or Rememberance Sunday matter's not. We all, world wide, owe thanks and a moment or two of contemplation for the sacrifice in our names.

God bless them all.