ANZAC Day 2010

April 25th 2010 was a Sunday, it was also ANZAC Day.

This year, i finally made it to my very first ANZAC Day Dawn Service. I don't know what it is but already this year i seem to be doing or going to a whole lot of new things which i have always wanted to go to but have never got around to it.

Anyway, once again, the fire alarms went off at our amazing Hostel at 4:50am (ish). For a change, i actually appreciated this going off as it meant i was at least up and would be ready in time for the Dawn Service.

After the fire alarm situation was sorted, it was time to head off to the Dawn Service with our hostel chef Russel and fellow residents Caleb, Olive and Nicole.

I had been talking to a couple of girls in the hostel the day before and they said they had been to Dawn Services before and they found them very moving. Being my first Dawn Service i had no idea what to expect.

WOW - honestly, i am so glad that i finally got to go to an ANZAC Service. Like the girls had said the previous day, it certainly was moving and i myself was almost in tears. Listening to "The Last Post", reading of poems, seeing all the forces represented in some form or another, the RNZAF plane fly over, the laying of the wreath, the reading of numbers of casualties - it was all just so amazing.

I then went to church and the ANZAC's were once again mentioned. Even when i went online to look at deals on grabaseat.co.nz , they had decided out of respect to the ANZAC's, to not sell flights untill after 1:30pm - RESPECT!

ANZAC Day 2010 made me stop and actually seriously think about all that was done for us those many years ago - life would not be as easy and free for us now if it was not for the soldiers who gave their lives for the countries back then.

I am so proud to be a New Zealander and I am proud of the history that our country has.

ANZAC Day 2015 = Gallipoli = Here I Come!

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)