ANZAC Day

[Fled74]

I agree with the others here, it's disgraceful how you were treated, Fordomatic.

I have enormous respect for those in the armed forces, even though I've never been a member (the closest I've been was mandatory ROTC training at uni overseas, many years ago).

While I don't know anyone in the Aussie military, my family has lost a member to armed conflict and for me, ANZAC Day is a day to remember him.
My mum's dad was in the Philippine Army in WW2, a captain in the USAFFE (United States Army Forces in the Far East). He was killed by a Japanese grenade while rescuing POWs during the liberation of Manila.

There is a statue of him outside a well-known Manila university.

I remember all those who have given their lives in combat through this poem by Thomas Moore (1779-1852):

The Minstrel Boy

The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death ye will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betray thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"

The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring his proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its cords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and bravery!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free
They shall never sound in slavery!"

Third verse added by an unknown author during the American Civil War:

The Minstrel Boy will return we pray
When we hear the news we all will cheer it,
The minstrel boy will return one day,
Torn perhaps in body, not in spirit.
Then may he play on his harp in peace,
In a world such as heaven intended,
For all the bitterness of man must cease,
And ev'ry battle must be ended.