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Tuppies Teddies
Here in Australia we have a public holiday called Anzac day. It is a day where we remember all those that were involved in theatres of war. We remember those that came home, those that are away from home now serving overseas and especially remember those that did not return,
This Anzac day my grandson marched with my husband.
My husband served in the Vietnam war. His father served in World war 2 and had never marched, but Lachlan, our grandson wore his great grandfathers medals and so my husbands father was represented at the Anzac march for the very first time.
I took this photo of Leith and Lachlan standing in front of the cenotaph as flowers were laid in rememberance.
It was a very moving day for us all.
Posts: 8,574How wonderful, thank you Denise...
And didn't you come up with a grand way for your son to get an idea of who his Great Granddad is, and what important things he did! I admire you for this.
Lovely piccy.
one of my dearest friends lives in NZ, and she sent me a commerative tin of ANZAC biskits, which we promptly fell in love with- yum, and the tin had such a nice history of the biskit and how all the wives and moms made them to send to their men for added nutrition, most rightly guessing that the military wasn't feeding them well enough.
Now I have to get infusions of Golden Syrup so that I can make them properly. and of course experimentaly----I love chopped dried pineapple in them.
Ours is called Armed Forces day and Memorial day. Rather prozaic after your Anzac day!
Thank you for sharing this with us.
gollyhugs
dilu
Thank you Denise for this post...My husband was a sailor who served in Vietnam, he passed away 20 years ago.....my dad also fought in the jungles of New Guinea, so this day for me is always very emotional.....I watched the Anzac march on TV as I always do, and how wonderful to see the crowds growing every year, but also sad to see the numbers of our old soldiers, sailors & air force servicemen dwindling..thankfully there is hope in the younger generation, like your grandson, that they will march proudly on behalf of all those brave men and never let their memory die...
The red poppy belongs to Remembrance Day, 11 November. However, wreaths of poppies are traditionally placed at memorials and honour boards on ANZAC Day and I thought perhaps that this beautiful poem is relevant to both days.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
May they rest in Peace.....Lest we Forget.
Waggle BearsYes, Denise, thanks for sharing this. Your grandson will remember this day always and must feel a great sweel of pride marching beside his grandfather. My husband also served two tours in Viet Nam with 5th Special Forces Group. His father served in WWII as well.
Rufnut Teddy'sDenise, what a lovely gesture for Lachlan to do. :hug: :hug: :hug:
We tried to get our daughter to wear her Grandfathers medallions at this years memorials but she wouldn't, we will keep trying.
Posts: 8,574Again thanks to both of you-and thanks for the Poppy Poetry....we also hand out poppies here fot Memorial day and sometimes on Veteran's day....I suspect we borrowed the idea from you.....
hugs
dilu
Past Time BearsA very meaningful day and poem. It's really interesting to learn about the holidays of other countries - thanks for sharing. 
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)In Flanders fields the poppies blow..
Oh, OH!! I Know this one!! (hand waving frantically!!)
During one of our trips to Toronto to do a TBOV show, we did what we always do. Take an extra week or so and look out for small local attractions. We found the home of the author, Lt Col. John McCrae M.D., who died of pneumonia at 46, in 1918.
The visit had special meaning for me as we share a birthdate, though separated by 60 years.!
Bobbie, How sad John McCrae died so young....8.5million servicemen were killed in WW1, hard to get your mind around that figure....we should never forget their sacrifice..........it is indeed a very beautiful & poignant poem, maybe many don't know it's origin...here's a link to the story...
Newcastle, OntarioDenise,
How proud you and your husband must have been to see your grandson represent his great-grandfather in the march. Definitely a special day.
I've worn a poppy on November 11th as long as I can remember. My parents always made sure we each had one for Remembrance Day, as children, and I've just continued. My greatfather fought in the Boer War and my grandfather fought in World War One. I also feel it is very important that the children are taught about the sacrifices our ancestors made for us, so we would have a better life.
"In Flanders' Fields" is such a beautiful poem and perhaps because of the Canadian author, we had to memorize it in school, but I never minded. I've always loved it.
hugs,
Brenda
