[Marie P]

My brother sent me this newslink .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6139656.stm

[MB]

That's lovely, Marie. Thanks to you and your brother.

I have found that getting married, then living how and where I have wanted, then having our son, has made me more and more grateful to, and moved by, those who died and to veterans.

Thanks again.

[MB]

This is also a good opportunity to ask this:

does anyone else in NZ find themselves having mixed feelings whereby you are very keen to see ANZAC monuments honoured and being treated as hallowed... but that it also seems strangely fitting to see toddlers playing benignly on them; workers chatting and having lunch on their steps; maybe even couples sitting holding hands and giggling?
Please understand that I am not talking about folks clambering all over them or disturbing wreaths. But this doesn't happen anyway: people police themselves very well, and the kind of examples I gave above I actually find quite sweet and appropriate.
Or, more to the point, I have an inkling that soliders wouldn't mind it.

[StevieD]

I watched the Wales v Pacific Islands rugby match today - wonderful, total respect in the stadium.

I think on the whole the memorials are respected, as they should be. It is a pity that more history can't be taught and debated in schools, instead of being watered down as of late. It is essential that our youngsters are taught the lessons and importance of conflict and the damage it causes at all levels.

[Diny]

This is also a good opportunity to ask this:

does anyone else in NZ find themselves having mixed feelings whereby you are very keen to see ANZAC monuments honoured and being treated as hallowed... but that it also seems strangely fitting to see toddlers playing benignly on them; workers chatting and having lunch on their steps; maybe even couples sitting holding hands and giggling?
Please understand that I am not talking about folks clambering all over them or disturbing wreaths. But this doesn't happen anyway: people police themselves very well, and the kind of examples I gave above I actually find quite sweet and appropriate.
Or, more to the point, I have an inkling that soliders wouldn't mind it.


I know exactly what you mean ..... these soldiers died so that this very kind of thing can take place.

For my 40th birthday Mark took me to Ypres, we did the WW1 battlefield tour and after seeing what must have topped 30+ war cemetaries (sp) each one still had the same impact as the first. I defy anybody to do that tour and remain dry eyed.

The 'icing on the cake' for me was to spend the evening of my landmark birthday standing under the Menin Gate - listening to the Last Post while looking for my Great Uncle Freds name engraved amongst the thousands of others. He was killed on July 1st - Battle of the Somme - his body was never found.

For all those who believe that history should be forgotten and the only way is to do away with tradition and move forward ....... go there and learn.

Diny

[MB]

For my 40th birthday Mark took me to Ypres, we did the WW1 battlefield tour and after seeing what must have topped 30+ war cemetaries (sp) each one still had the same impact as the first. I defy anybody to do that tour and remain dry eyed.

The 'icing on the cake' for me was to spend the evening of my landmark birthday standing under the Menin Gate - listening to the Last Post while looking for my Great Uncle Freds name engraved amongst the thousands of others. He was killed on July 1st - Battle of the Somme - his body was never found.

For all those who believe that history should be forgotten and the only way is to do away with tradition and move forward ....... go there and learn.

Diny

Sounds like a deeply memorable time for you, Diny. And as far as remaining dry-eyed goes, I was on the verge of tears just typing that post yesterday about the monuments.

I know exactly what you mean ..... these soldiers died so that this very kind of thing can take place.

Yes, on the whole I think that very many (most? all?) soldiers would not think it disrepectful to see a wee bit of romance and little'uns playing. On certain days of the year, maybe, when the memorials are covered with flowers, it might not be fitting, but otherwise -- precisely for the reason you gave -- I think it's very apt.

[Croft]

Went along to watch the Queen dedicating the Memorial. A very moving ceremony. Pictures in my blog (address in the sig block).