ANZAC Day
Now that Sunrise have decided that forcing a ‘Daylight Saving Scheme” at Long Tan is a bad idea they have opted for the only other possibly controversial ANZAC Day service – Currumbin Beach. They are recording the Dawn Service and then the Powderfinger Concert to be held at 8:00 am following the Dawn Service.
I know both Ken Workman, the Pesident of the Gold Beach RSL and Doug Formby,the State President of the RSL and have no great problems with their quote in the article however I do have some general reservations.
To me, ANZAC Day is my Holy Day of Obligation. I wear my fathers medals as well as my own as a mark of respect to him and his generation and I also carry the memories of my friends who didn’t come home or who did and succumbed to wounds or to whom the burden of life became too much.
I am more Agnostic than Christian but I would never expect any one to contemplate holding rock concerts, or for that matter, major sporting events on Christmas Day or Good Friday yet ANZAC DAY is open day for marketers.
I don’t think any non-related public event should be scheduled before the end of the March and I personnaly will not watch any match or event on the day.
I’m most probably in the minority here but that’s how I feel and being the conservative I am I’m not about to change.
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Kev, I think the nature of Anzac day is changing slowly.
Back in the 50’s and 60’s it was very much all returned servicemen, dressed in suits, hats and medals, marching rigidly in step the same as their Army days, crowds clapping politely, and stirrring and patriotic speeches from politicians who were also returned servicemen.
Today it seems that various non military organisations like community groups, scouts, schoolchildren, and the like are making up a large percentage of many Anzac day parades. The strictly solemn remembrance of fallen comrades has evolved into some sort of collective “war is terrible” theme.
Given that there are very few WW2 and Korean veterans left, and even the Vietnam veterans are becoming older and with fewer able to march, the declining numbers of actual “returned servicemen” on parade is inevitable.
The RSL recognised this trend in 1987, and opened their doors to anyone who has ever pulled on a boot to become full members, not just men who had seen active service.
East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will continue to carry the torch, but eventually will be overwhelmed by the many non active service military organisations and other community service groups who like to appear in the parades.
A bit sad to see the old traditions die off, but inevitable, in my book. You will see more and more rock concerts and food festivals etc. in years to come.
I have no problem with the young in groups or with veterans fronting up on the day just uneasy with rock concerts etc
Kev, that would be Doug Formby. Unless you are having an ex-officer to ex-officer go at him?
Thanks Rick. No nothing so smart has having a go at him…just poor editing.