Anzac Day - 2008

Grace Oz · Apr 25, 2008

today, 25th April, is ANZAC DAY in Australia.

Today we remember and honour those brave soldiers who landed on Gallipoli 93 years ago.

It was on those shores of Gallipoli where the legend of ANZAC was born.

Since that time all those years ago, Australia has grown as a nation, served in subsequent wars and conflicts around the world. And so, today we not only remember and honour those men and women from the Gallipoli landing, we also honour and remember those of later conflicts, and those currently serving this great nation of AUSTRALIA.

nyapa, RN · Apr 25, 2008

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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 now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway 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

Liddle Noodnik · Apr 25, 2008

the ode
they shall not grow 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

amen - ((((((((( grace and ds and all who serve and have served ))))))))

talaxandra · May 4, 2008

I know I'm coming late to the thread but I, too, was thinking of all the Aussie and NZ armed forces who've fought for us, not just at Gallipoli but from the Boer War to today.

nyapa, RN · May 6, 2008

Especially as the country has lost yet another Australian son in Afghanistan...

aussiemags · May 21, 2008

"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 now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway 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

Having worked at a repatriation hospital let me tell you that the tears are flowing freely on my face right now, even though it is the end of May. The words of Ataturk are heartfelt and demonstrate that man's humanity will always overcome the atrocities of war.

My tears flow on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, and to have worked at that hospital on those days in particular really brings it home, personalises it all. To wake men at 4.30am in order to get them dressed and ready to attend the dawn service, in the most beautiful hospital chapel specifically dedicated to the services, is a privilege that will remain with me for life. To stand beside a patient during the minute's silence, to support them and honour them raises such strong emotions in me. Those men and women I am privileged enough to be nursing (even those that I could really do without!!) have experienced and witnessed things the like of which I will never know.

I have a particular interest in military nursing especially Boer War, WW1 and WW2 era rather than current day so that also hits home with me. I have been fortunate to have nursed a few war nurses, including one remarkable woman who had been taken prisoner in Singapore and lived the horrors of being a POW. When I met her the dementia had started although she was still clear on many things. By the end the dementia had really interfered with her life. Being confined to a nursing home would often cause her to be thrown back in time to being in the POW camp (doesnt say much for the image of aged care). When she died I was given a copy of her war diary by her family. Nothing elaborate, just simple stuff which hits home because of its simplicity.

Anyway, you get the drift! Thankyou for this thread.

Grace Oz · May 22, 2008

Bless you, aussiemags!

It is indeed an honour to nurse those men and women who served our country and helped make it the magnificent place it is.

Since you're interested in nurses who served; check out Vivian Bullwinkle. If you 'Google' her name, you will find sites dedicated to this wonderful, amazing, gutsy and very brave Aussie woman.

I'm biased as she was a family friend.

I did post a thread on here about Viv, you might be able to find that in the archives as well.