Dear O Sung Wu,

This day holds a very special place in many Australian
hearts. It is a time to remember the sacrifice made
by all those who have fallen. A day that remembers the
courageous soldiers who left us a powerful legacy.
A day to respect and honour all those who served our
nation.

The playing of "The Last Post," always
brings a lump to my throat.

"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.

Bound to repeat it was what I was trying to say. I certainly hope not.

Hi there IS MISE...

Like you I don't march, mainly because I can't anyway. You've come from a very famous Regiment too IS MISE, 3RAR. Not only in the Korean Theatre, where you were, but Malaysia ; and South Vietnam. One of the most heroic and decorated Regiments in the Australian Infantry Corps. Whatever you choose to do, take care of yourself & thank you so much for your Brave Service in the Korean War. And many thanks for contributing to this Topic as well.

Hi there HASBEEN...

Thank you for your response. As a former Naval Aviator yourself, it's a wonder you never decided to persevere with your training, and travel up the road past Wagga Wagga and take a right at Forest Hills; into the RAAF Base.

You mentioned you couldn't quite master Carrier landings to the required standard, well the RAAF don't demand you have to land on a 'pitching' deck; only that you just land the A/C in one piece. They're a little more forgiving than the Navy people I guess?

You losing Mates, however the circumstances, is still a loss. Many of those Islands you mentioned in the South Pacific were made very famous during WWll. The only Island that I've visited, that was the subject of intense fighting between Japanese Imperial Forces and the US Military, is that of Guam. You've certainly been around ol' friend in the Yacht of yours.

Thank you for your very kind sentiments as well HASBEEN, I really do appreciate them.

G'day (again) TTBN...

I couldn't agree with you more. Many Aussies who ordinarily would be opposed to each others views and opinions, seem to come together more so on ANZAC Day than any other day in the Calendar. For the reason(s) you say, the Day does sort of unify most of us, which can only be a good thing, I believe. It's just a pity the same mechanism couldn't be found for the remaining 364 days, remaining for the year. Many thanks again.

Hello there FOXY...

Thank you for replying to this topic. Like you, the ethereal sounds of 'The Last Post' tends to effect everybody to a greater or lessor degree? As does the words to 'The Ode' which you kindly repeated for all our benefits.

Interestingly, my paternal Grandfather was in the Anglo-Boer War. My maternal Grandfather was in WWl. And I was in the Indonesian Confrontation & South Vietnam war. From memory my two grandfathers rarely spoke of their campaigns, neither did my Uncles and other close relatives speak of WWll. Quite interesting I would've thought.

Thank you very much FOXY for your contribution.

Dear O Sung Wu,

I imagine we all have relatives who have been involved in
wars. I tried for years to get mine to write their stories.
Of course none would. Many are now no longer with us. All
we can do is hope and pray that our children and grandchildren
will not be involved in another war. Though I won't hold my
breath on that. I just hope that I won't be around to see it.

I was in WW2. My father was in WW1. It is easiest to sell arms when there is a threat of war or a perceived need to keep an aroused people down. Prime Minister Turnbull has stated his desire to have Australia be one of the top ten arms exporters. What is he planning to do to create an atmosphere to develop and sell the blood-spilling devices?

I believe that both WW1 and WW2 could have been prevented if there had been a sufficient will to prevent them. I am saddened by the lives lost in things that need not have happened.

I regard Turnbull and others who would make money from blood as far worse than those who tamper with cricket balls.

On Anzac Day I mourn those whose lives were taken and think of my grandchildren.