This day most resembles Veterans Day in the States where we hold services and honor our current and fallen soldiers. On Wednesday April 24th the students in the school held a beautiful remembrance service for ANZAC day. Everyone gathered in the hall to show tier respect and honor the soldiers. There were many special people who came to speak including a soldier who had fought for Australia. He told about that horrible day almost 100 years ago on the shores of Gallipoli. Some one else read a beautiful poem titled Not A Hero.
The ANZAC Day march was over - the old
Digger had done his best.
His body ached from marching - it was time to sit and rest.
He made his way to a park bench and sat with lowered head.
A young boy passing saw him - approached and politely said,
"Please sir do you mind if I ask you what the medals you wear are for?
Did you get them for being a hero, when fighting in a war?"
His body ached from marching - it was time to sit and rest.
He made his way to a park bench and sat with lowered head.
A young boy passing saw him - approached and politely said,
"Please sir do you mind if I ask you what the medals you wear are for?
Did you get them for being a hero, when fighting in a war?"
Startled, the old Digger moved over and
beckoned the boy to sit.
Eagerly the lad accepted - he had not expected this!
"First of all I was not a hero," said the old Digger in solemn tone,
"But I served with many heroes, the ones that never came home.
So when you talk of heroes, it's important to understand,
The greatest of all heroes gave their lives defending this land.
Eagerly the lad accepted - he had not expected this!
"First of all I was not a hero," said the old Digger in solemn tone,
"But I served with many heroes, the ones that never came home.
So when you talk of heroes, it's important to understand,
The greatest of all heroes gave their lives defending this land.
"The medals are worn in their honour,
as a symbol of respect.
All diggers wear them on ANZAC Day - it shows they don't forget."
The old digger then climbed to his feet and asked the boy to stand.
Carefully he removed the medals and placed them in his hand.
He told him he could keep them - to treasure throughout his life,
A legacy of a kind - left behind - paid for in sacrifice.
All diggers wear them on ANZAC Day - it shows they don't forget."
The old digger then climbed to his feet and asked the boy to stand.
Carefully he removed the medals and placed them in his hand.
He told him he could keep them - to treasure throughout his life,
A legacy of a kind - left behind - paid for in sacrifice.
Overwhelmed the young boy was speechless -
he couldn’t find words to say.
It was there the old Digger left him - going quietly on his way.
In the distance the young boy glimpsed him - saw him turn and wave goodbye.
Saddened he sat alone on the bench - tears welled in his eyes.
He never again saw him ever - but still remembers with pride,
When the old Digger told him of Heroes and a young boy sat and cried.
It was there the old Digger left him - going quietly on his way.
In the distance the young boy glimpsed him - saw him turn and wave goodbye.
Saddened he sat alone on the bench - tears welled in his eyes.
He never again saw him ever - but still remembers with pride,
When the old Digger told him of Heroes and a young boy sat and cried.
Clyde Hamilton
This poem was so beautiful are really brought home what a true hero is. I teared up thinking about all of the brave soldiers from around the world who go out to defend their land and never come home. Near the end of the service all of the classes were asked to bring up the wreaths they had constructed in honor of ANZAC day. Many of the wreaths had, Lest We Forget, written on them. Such a beautiful and powerful phrase. It was touching watching all of the students bring up their class wreath.
When the whole school stood to sing Australia Fair I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of unity. Although some of the children in that hall were still too young to fully understand the significance of the service they had just attended, they were still respectful and watched wide eyed as many of the teachers and parents shed a tear.
The next day was ANZAC day. Nothing was open and everyone was out of their homes at four in the morning to attend the Dawn Services. I was among them. Although I am not Australian I respect any man or woman that is willing to fight for their country or come to the aid of another in need; as Australia has done for the United States. We were out the door around 3:40 on our way to Bribie Island to gather and watch the dawn service. The air was crisp and you could hear the sound of the waves smashing against the shore. Even before the service started everyone was silent. The service started at precisely 4:28 honoring the actual time of the soldiers landing on the shores of Gallipoli. There were soldiers everywhere. Some in uniform and some not. The families of soldiers were easy to spot as many eyes were red and some of the women were held tight by family. It was a beautiful service. Near the end individuals were called to the flag to lay a wreath in honor of the fallen and fighting soldiers. After they were all lain it was then open for anyone else who had created a wreath to lay it in front of the flag as well. I was surprised at how many people came forward. It was breathtaking. As the ceremony came to an end everyone was invited to a breakfast barbeque. Heather, Kevin, Kelli, and I decided to go down to the beach and watch the sun come up. It was a beautiful sight. As I stared at the horizon waiting for the sun to show itself I began to think of how we honor and celebrate our fallen and fighting on Veterans day and Memorial day.When the sun did rise it took its time and shown down brilliantly on all of the men, women, and children remembering and honoring all of those soldiers lost so long ago.
No comments:
Post a Comment