Monday 25 April 2016

Remembering the ANZACs

 ANZAC Day is one of those all important commemorations that appears on the annual calendar. Prior to ANZAC Day this year, they were going on about the amount of Australians who take part. As one person said, just because people aren't at services doesn't mean they don't take part in ANZAC Day and that many people probably do commemorate in their own way.

This year I yet again missed Dawn Service. This time I did set an alarm but it was not very nice weather out so I opted to go back to sleep instead. Instead I decided to commemorate the day in my own way.

(ANZAC Day last year)

Getting up so late I thought there was nothing wrong with eating ANZAC muffins for breakfast. Not exactly a Gunfire breakfast but tasty all the same.


Usually on ANZAC Day, before or after dawn service a Gunfire breakfast is something to take part in. Often it is a big breakfast of bacon, eggs and all the other bits and pieces. When I still lived down south we joined in after the dawn service and it was put on by the RSL at the pub. The Gunfire part is actually black coffee with rum in it. I believe the history of it is that it was given a dutch courage to soldiers in the morning before a battle.


This afternoon, as my way of commemorating, I decided to head to the monument at the cemetery. I had never been there and what I didn't realise is that there is actually a War Cemetery within the cemetery.


It was peaceful walking there among the old graves and the Cairns War Cemetery itself was a great place for reflection.

















I looked at other old grave sites on my wander back to the car. I spotted a few of the other service burials around the cemetery.

I then headed down to the Cairns Esplanade to the Cenotaph. It is across the road from the RSL (Returned Services League). They were certainly busy there.


It was interesting seeing pretty much everyone who walked past stop to look, read, discuss and show their respect. 





Where the Cairns War Cemetery is a resting place for those who served in WWII the Cenotaph list the names of those who served in WWI.






They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget

Laurence Binyon





  
To me, this reflecting and being thankful for what those have done in the past brings peace. The feelings you have when attending, especially dawn service are indescribable. Whether I go to an ANZAC Service or not I still think on it and commemorate it, even if it is only in my thoughts.

I Must Confess

SEASONS  - you can do your own thing. Or follow my variant.



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30 comments:

  1. Many thanks for the memories of the ones who fought and including it in SEASONS - what a great tribute your post is for ANZAC day!
    The wreaths are colorful as well as beautiful! And the stunning views of the sunsets bring it to a fitting contemplative close.
    I agree, it's our inner motive that is more important than whether we do a certain thing or not, that counts! Have a happy week and "see" you very soon!

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    1. Thank you! It is a very special day for many people. It is the thought that counts in so many things. I hope you enjoy your week!

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  2. These are wonderful images to remember Anzac day

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  3. Beautiful photos. I learned so much about Anzac last year when we were in Australia.

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    1. Thank you! Were in in Australia over ANZAC Day? I would think it is certainly an eye opener and a great insight into one part of Australian culture.

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  4. These are lovely photos. I actually never why it was called a Gunfire breakfast before.

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    1. Thank you!
      I must confess I researched that little tidbit of information. I knew what a Gunfire Breakfast consisted of, having been to a few, but didn't realise it was actually named after the drink.

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  5. I just leaned of ANZAC Day from another blog this week. Thanks for sharing this beautiful tribute, Remembering the service of those who sacrificed for one's country is so important. Please return soon.

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    1. I would say that ANZAC Day has been pretty common on Australian or New Zealand blogs. I find it interesting that it is also commemorated with ceremonies in England as well, although I am assuming that it is very much an in London thing. It is a really big thing here and very important to many people. You are right, remembering the sacrifices made is very important. Thank you for coming by and have a great week.

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  6. Very poignant and moving to remember the sacrifice made for freedom. Lovely photos and I'd love one of those muffins!
    Love your blog and its name! and look forward to following!
    Christineandhercamera.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you! Remembering the sacrifices for freedom is something many do every day but ANZAC Day just really brings it home here. It is certainly a much bigger event the Remembrance Day.
      They were very yummy muffins too, although not very healthy. Can't be good all the time though.
      Thanks for coming by and checking out my blog, I hope you keep enjoying it.

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  7. This military cemetery is a beautiful and moving place. With the wreaths of ANZAC flowers, it's especially poignant. This is a marvelous group of images!

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    1. Thank you! It is a peaceful place for remembering. The wreaths for ANZAC Day do make it extra special, especially knowing they will fade quickly or be taken away (the fake flowers).

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  8. I think it's great the war vets are recognised with their own special section of the cemetery. Brett's Dad John is buried in the war part of the cemetery in Adelaide. It's very moving to read some of the head stones.

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    1. It is great that this is done and that even when there isn't a section war vets can have a military headstone. There were actually a few dotted around the rest of the cemetery, although they weren't the white marble headstone like in this section. I strangely like wandering around old graves and reading the headstones. In my way I feel like it is making sure those people aren't completely forgotten.

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  9. What a lovely tribute to those who fought for our freedom!
    We didn't attend a Dawn Service here in Brisbane either but we did remember those (including my grandfather) who fought. So many wonderful images, I particularly love the images with the flowers in focus and the grave stones in the background.

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    1. Thank you!
      I don't feel quite so slack now. Both my Great Grandfather and Mr Sparky's Grandfather served in WWII. So many families have that connection too.

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  10. Your personal commemorative time in the cemetery was very memorable, and I think a lovely way to honor the Fallen. Your photos are beautiful! Not just of the cemetery but the city on the water, and the beautiful flowers! Wonderful post!

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    1. Thank you! I thought it was a nice way to commemorate ANZAC Day, as I missed the services and it was good for me too, the peace of it all. I'm glad you enjoyed my post and the photos. Thank you for all your compliments.

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  11. This was a beautiful tribute to those who serve. - It was also interesting to learn of this commemorative event. Much like Veteran's Day in the US. Your photos were so lovely.

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you found it interesting. We have Remembrance Day as well, also the 11th of November. It is often a lot lower key and not a public holiday. Many schools and workplaces still encourage a 1min silence at 11am though. It is interesting seeing what other countries do to commemorate those who have fought for their country.

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  12. i will have to look for the recipe for those muffins on-line. We made Anzac cookies last year when my son studied Australia. They were pretty good!

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    1. I love ANZAC biccies, especially homemade so they are soft in the middle. Check out my facebook, the recipe is on there.
      https://www.facebook.com/GritAndGiggles/

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  13. Great photos. That cemetery is a beautiful and well kept tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed for our freedoms.

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    1. Thank you! I certainly is that and a peaceful place to reflect as well.

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