Dear Joe (Loudmouth), Belly, csteele, and others,

My respect for the ANZACS is without reservation.
I spent yesterday afternoon (my day off) with someone who was
remembering his experiences in past wars. It was
a very emotional time for both of us.

We owe war veterans a great debt. My much-loved
father in law always
took part in the ANZAC Day marches here in Melbourne
with great pride for as long as he lived.
He's no longer with us today - but to our family -
ANZAC Day means a great deal.

csteele,
I reckon not, probably be given a beer.

Any immigrant who joins our defence forces would consider himself an Aussie and has adopted our culture. He would be proud to march with the other 'diggers' and rightly so.

Suggest you look up the meaning of the word ANZAC.

...What has happened to the once loud (and at times profane, (Bruce Ruxton)) voice of the past,issuing forth from the halls of ANZAC fame, the RSL club, under such pressure of the threat to ANZAC day celebrations?

...Makes one wonder really.Is the RSL club as dead as its first world war veterans, or is the silence simply a sign of the new-age soldier, with a wish to be separated from a serviceman's tradition?

...Where have all the soldiers gone...long time passing,
...Where have all the soldiers gone, long time ago?

csteele,
I now note you added extra words to what I said. You added "therefore Afghani can clear off"

That is not what I said so let me make it quite clear.

If I were recomending Anzac day commemorations to the government I would say. The only cultures that need consideration are Aussie and Kiwi for this event. This is about the sacrifices Anzacs made, it is not about any other society. We have fought alonside many other nations but their cultures are not considered in our ceremony. Would you have us play the national anthems of other countries or mention conflicts that we have not participated in. Should we conduct part in foreign languages?

You have got to be kidding. This is a commemoration for ANZACS. No the only cultures to be considered is Aussie and Kiwi.

Dear Banjo,

I had intended to write 'the Afghani' so was a little confused by the reply, my fault entirely, but even without that qualifier you would probably want to pick a different unit. Is he still an Aussie in your book if he doesn't drink and is an observant Muslim?

As to the meaning of the word ANZAC I'm pretty sure the last two words don't stand for Aussie Culture.

Dear Banjo,

We are in danger of eternally cross posting but here goes any way.

Now don't get me wrong, I think the study was a crock and a stupid waste of money. But I do rail against those who want to hijack the term Aussie Culture. We have a pretty decent record of adopting and accepting others from around the world. Our easy going nature is referred to by others as an asset. We had been at the forefront of international standards on refugees. Our multiculturalism is as much a defining part of the Aussie culture as drinking beer, perhaps more so. The thought that this young lad is fighting shoulder to shoulder with other young Aussies makes me proud of us as a nation irrespective of whether he can drink.

I get cranky when people try to tear down and denigrate what we have achieved as a country.