ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day.

The day when Australians and New Zealanders remember those from our nations who paid the supreme sacrifice in war. It is also a day to remember those injured in armed service, and indeed to honour those who (regardless of your thoughts on military action) have donned the uniform and are thus willing to serve (or have served) in harm's way.

Great to see the numbers at the dawn services today, and the generally respectful crowds, but unfortunately, to some it has become a kind of 'Australia Day 3 months later'. Where some people think that wearing that national flag (refer mass-media pics of the services at Gallipoli) is a suitable way to honour it.

The two main football codes in Australia have long played on ANZAC Day, but the marketing of the games is becoming more than a little sick-making. The NRL match this afternoon was billed this morning on the teev along the line sof 'what better way to honour the fallen than a game of football between old rivals the Roosters and the Dragons...' While the AFL match is between Essendon and Collingwood for the 16th year in a row, which means these two clubs - both of whom non-supporters despise - have developed an 'ownership of the traditional football match' on the day. Which is a load of shit, there's been footy on ANZAC Day since the 60s.

Sure, there's the 'Last Post' at both matches, but really, is it a good way to commemorate those who helped build a unified Australia by excluding most of the fans of the codes? But I digress...

At Pubs and Clubs across the nation, diggers old and new will gather for a few sherbets, as will their descendants/relatives/friends to remember the fallen. At the same time, a bunch of young piss-heads will form up into a ring to play two-up, often gambling away more money than they can afford on the toss of two coins. In some - indeed, an increasing number of - venues, they will play with three coins to guarantee a result on every toss, meaning that the 'five split tosses in a row and the money goes to charity' outcome is denied.

At least the shops won't open until the afternoon (indeed, not at all in some places) today. But how much longer will that last? One large chain pushed to be allowed all-day trading today.

There's a lot of good about the day, but there's an increasing shadow over it.

It's just part of the rise in boganism . . . along with terms like "unAustralian" . . . whatever the fark that means . . .

How unAustralian to not know what unAustralian means.

I'm guessing it means thinking beyond the talk-show radio talking points?

Tacky, you could have stopped at 'thinking'.

I'm starting to get a bit jack of the commercialism and coat-tail riding by the likes of the AFL as well. And I'd happily swallow a law against flag-burning in spite of all the howling about freedom of speech - as long as the law treated wearing a flag like a Superman cape the same way..

Even the PM has been brainwashed by the AFL's spin. On Seven today he said something about how the AFL, Essendon and Collingwood have done great things for ANZAC Day. Qunt.

Oi Nerk. You wann duck over the Celebrity Death thread and make another nom.

Zat wrote:Even the PM has been brainwashed by the AFL's spin. On Seven today he said something about how the AFL, Essendon and Collingwood have done great things for ANZAC Day. Qunt.

Essendon . . . upholders of the ANZAC spirit . . . . be farked!

Agree with your opening post, Zat. Although i don't really care what teams get the top billing today, I guess it was fortunate it wasn't the Storm.

I take my Anzac Day observances very seriously and the term 'Anzac spirit' is bandied around a bit too much for my liking. I was absolutely incensed when The Australian ran that front page picture of Steve Waugh's team at the Gallipoli Peninsula - thought the whole stopover and it's 'Anzac spirit' link was a low point in Aussie cricket.

Anyway, we travelled to Onslow this weekend for Anzac Day. The townsfolk have built a memorial overlooking the ocean. It's been designed as half-sun structure - in the style of the Rising Sun badge - and positioned to capture the rising sun's rays at dawn on Anzac Day.

We got to the memorial around 5am and helped set up the chairs, the NZ and AUS flags etc. It was a lovely dawn service - especially with the sound of the waves lapping up on the shore - and afterwards we went to the town hall for a Gun Fire breakfast.

As much as I would love to visit the Gallipoli Peninsula one day, the footage of all the tourists - and the stories about how much rubbish they leave behind - really puts me off. Although I must say I was really moved to tears by Andrew Denton's Gallipoli special, which aired on Friday, so never say never.

Seeing the dawn services in Turkey and France, it looked like a gathering of the fanatics. FFS, what's wrong with showing up dressed in smart casual clothing, and quietly and anonymously paying your respects? None of this chest beating, nationalistic crap. Wrapping yourself in the flag like a complete moron. The diggers must have been turning in their graves.

Oh, and how bad was the Sydney Boys High School band that they flew over to play in the France dawn service. Urgh. Cringeworthy.

And other than for the sh!tstirring factor, why would a limey pom give a fark?

Was that you dancing in the fountain with the Union Jack draped all over you after Ashes 05, Trev.

Meh, i'm half Australian. I'm entitled to my say. Sucked in.

Absolutely you are entitled to have your say. But I'm shocked to hear you admit you are half-Australian.

One of your parents is Aussie, you have duel-citizenship, you are married to an Aussie bloke?

One of my parents is Australian. I've dealt with it.

Hehehe. Euthanasia?