Greetings all,
Did you know the first Wednesday every September in Australia is The Battle For Australia ceremony at the War Memorial?? We've been involved in this since we moved to Canberra, a heart warming memorial to commemorate all the battles which helped defend Australia from the WWII enemies after the fall of Singapore in 1942, like the Battle of the Coral Sea & the Kokoda Track. Today was the 70th anniversary & many gorgeous old soldiers, sailors & airmen were in attendance, their faces tell a million stories. My father & husband have been to many wars between them, however, in relatively modern conditions, nothing could possibly be as harsh as jungle warfare with unsuitable equipment, against a ruthless enemy on that damned Kokoda Track.
While dignitaries laid these beautiful wreaths . . .
high school students (children of military parents) placed bunches of wattle into a huge wreath to represent the future generations of Australians who are grateful for the sacrifices made in WWII to protect Australia. It was particularly heart breaking to see the Canberra Grammar boys, as they lost a former student last week in Afghanistan, they laid the wreath on behalf of all the students. This year my 3 daughters were involved, i was incredibly proud.
I entered the Lego Festival of Play in August & my message won the opportunity to go up on the giant Built Board in King George Square, Brisbane. It was to read Welcome Home Handsome Soldier, however, in light of losing 5 soldiers last week, they were sensitive to the families & requested i change it, so we just made it Welcome Home Daddy, being Father's Day on the day they built the message.
It's days like this when i think even more deeply about our military & making the most of my life, as i'm free & live in this amazing country. Most importanly, every member in my family who has served, has come home safe, from Gallipoli to Afghanistan. Love Posie
6 comments:
I didn't know about this first Wednesday in September, but I'm sure glad to and very grateful that 'we' do..x
Hi Posie,
I never had heard of this day until now. My hubby isn't a soldier, but works in Defence, one of the bases he looks after was home to 2 of the soldiers that died last week. It's always hard when you hear sad news like that.
I'm glad that all your family members have come home safe.
Congrats on getting your message built on the board! xx
very heartwarming.
No Jennie, I didn't know that. Thanks for alerting me. What a fabulous idea. My grandfather was in New Guinea but with the airforce and not on The Track. Those soldiers and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels were just astounding. J x
This gorgeous soldier was on the news too, i'm so glad they devoted so much time to him. I couldn't speak to him, my eyes welled up, imaging what he had witnessed & experienced, i know he knew i meant 'thank you', love Posie
A lovely post, so touching and you must have been so proud of the girls and they all must have been proud of your sign! Congrats one and all!
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