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Comments on: ANZAC Day https://whynow.dumka.us/2014/04/25/anzac-day-6/ On-line Opinion Magazine...OK, it's a blog Sat, 26 Apr 2014 02:11:08 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 By: Bryan https://whynow.dumka.us/2014/04/25/anzac-day-6/comment-page-1/#comment-68114 Sat, 26 Apr 2014 02:11:08 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/?p=32869#comment-68114 You can’t really talk or think about it until you are personally ready, and then you have to start with someone who has been ‘there’.

You have to remember so that others won’t forget and decide to do something stupid. There’s a long way to go, but but the number willing to oppose the madness grows..

]]> By: Kryten42 https://whynow.dumka.us/2014/04/25/anzac-day-6/comment-page-1/#comment-68105 Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:16:43 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/?p=32869#comment-68105 I paid my respects, as always. A surprising number of children were at the memorial, and were generally quite respectful. Even they can sense the importance. Perhaps more so than many adults.

For me, it is isn’t simply a day of remembrance, it’s a day of memories. After the ceremony, I remained staring at the shrine, just remembering, thinking… and a man in his late 80’s put his hand gently on my arm, I turned to look at him, somewhat annoyed at being disturbed. I noticed several campaign ribbons & medals and his very proud bearing, and bright piercing eyes, and mellowed. 🙂 He asked where I’d served, I was strictly in civies, and know I don’t look much like a vet. 🙂 I smiled and told him, and we chatted for awhile about our experiences. He nodded looked pointedly at my chest bereft of any decorations, except a poppy, and said “I understand. One day, you will wear them again.” I was about to reply “Over my dead body!” But he had that piercing gaze, so I kept silent and just smiled. He nodded at me & smiled. Said “It took 40 years before I dug mine out again.” He winked, squeezed my arm, then snapped a salute! I returned the salute, the first time in more than a couple decades. Then he smiled again, turned and slowly walked away as I watched his back retreat, I felt good. After all this time, I’d finally met someone who truly did understand, and he was a stranger, though I haven’t felt so close to anyone in many years.

I will sleep well tonight. For the first time in a while. 🙂

Some of the individuals are OK! 😉 😀

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