Ah, thanks. I was vaguely aware of Anzac Day but didn't know the date. As you say, Australia (and other countries) are still committing idealistic young men to become canon fodder. And other idealistic young men still think violence and war is the way to solve a problem.
They came to the other side of the world to fight in a conflict that was really someone else's war. I feel that that truth adds to the tragedy of it all. Thank you sons and daughters of Australia. Thank you sons and daughters of New Zealand.
Gallipoli should have been the last battle ever fought. I sometimes wonder why, even in colonial OZ and NZ why so many would follow Churchill into such a foolish campaign, start from the low ground and try to take the high with the only obstacle a sheer cliff wall. Were there no competent generals to stand against this fools errand?
Of course Churchill made it into the military after this failure and did account himself a fighter none the less...
Such poignancy in these few lines. Thank you for introducing them to us, or at least to me. When our son was approaching the age that young men in past wars had been conscripted or volunteered, I thought quite a lot about how lucky we all were that he did not live in those times. He was so young -- but so were they. And so many didn't see twenty.
My son did the entry exams for the Army and was told he was suitable for any job he wanted to pursue. I wasn't at all happy about it until I realised his very flat feet would stop him passing a medical. Soon after that he was distracted by a girlfriend and his Army career ended.
I wish it would stop, the men who join up are too young. Even the older ones.
That is such a powerful song.
ReplyDeleteA song which makes my eyes leak.
Mine, too.
DeleteNice that you are remembering the fallen. What a poignant verse.
ReplyDeleteIt's our memorial day here. The verse is part of a song "I was only Nineteen" by Redgum
DeleteAm I missing something? What happened on April 25?
ReplyDeleteAnzac day is April 25. It started as remembrance of the Gallipoli campaign which started April 25
DeleteAh, thanks. I was vaguely aware of Anzac Day but didn't know the date. As you say, Australia (and other countries) are still committing idealistic young men to become canon fodder. And other idealistic young men still think violence and war is the way to solve a problem.
DeleteIdealistic young men are usually not in a position to start wars and violence. It is older people who should know better who do that.
DeleteThe song I borrowed from references the Vietnam war, Anzac day covers all conflicts and peace keeping missions
They came to the other side of the world to fight in a conflict that was really someone else's war. I feel that that truth adds to the tragedy of it all. Thank you sons and daughters of Australia. Thank you sons and daughters of New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteMost of Australia's conflicts have been someone else's and it frustrates me that we are still committing idealistic young men to become canon fodder.
DeleteGallipoli should have been the last battle ever fought. I sometimes wonder why, even in colonial OZ and NZ why so many would follow Churchill into such a foolish campaign, start from the low ground and try to take the high with the only obstacle a sheer cliff wall. Were there no competent generals to stand against this fools errand?
ReplyDeleteOf course Churchill made it into the military after this failure and did account himself a fighter none the less...
My history is terrible and I should but don't know why Gallipoli happened. I just wish we were not still doing the same stupid thing
DeleteKylie, there were plenty of idealistic young men in the IRA. And plenty in ISIS.
ReplyDeleteSuch poignancy in these few lines. Thank you for introducing them to us, or at least to me. When our son was approaching the age that young men in past wars had been conscripted or volunteered, I thought quite a lot about how lucky we all were that he did not live in those times. He was so young -- but so were they. And so many didn't see twenty.
ReplyDeleteMy son did the entry exams for the Army and was told he was suitable for any job he wanted to pursue. I wasn't at all happy about it until I realised his very flat feet would stop him passing a medical.
DeleteSoon after that he was distracted by a girlfriend and his Army career ended.
I wish it would stop, the men who join up are too young. Even the older ones.