Post by Marcus on Apr 25, 2010 9:26:55 GMT 12
Hi all
I wrote the following soon after I got home from this mornings Dawn Parade. I wrote it it before knowing about the fatal Iroquois crash this morning. With the news of the tragic accident the short piece that I have written has taken on even more and deeper meaning for me!
My condolences to the families.
I went to our local ANZAC Day, dawn parade here in Hamilton, this morning. At a stretch I would say there was about 2 000+ people at the service. What struck me was the large number of young, school going, kids that made the effort to come to the pre-dawn gathering. All attending in a dignified respectful manner.
Hamilton is known for its misty mornings and this morning was no exception. At 5:50 with the march-past of the veterans completed all the surrounding street lights were turned off with only four spotlights highlighting the top of the cenotaph. The mist and throng of the silent crowd giving the scene an almost surreal feeling. As soon as the Chaplain had finished his short introduction a lone bugler, out of sight, started to play the Last Post. At that exact moment a RNZAF Hercules C 130 flew low over the parade. The timing was absolutely spot-on!!! Although we could not see the aircraft the sound of its engines above the haunting notes of the Last Post sent shivers down my spine!!!! As the sound of the Hercules grew fainter I closed my eyes remembering those that paid the highest price. Just as well that it was dark and the people standing around me could not see why I had to suddenly clean my glasses.....
I am very, very glad that I made the effort to get out of bed at 4:00 this morning. Even though as ex-SADF, Gallipoli does not have any direct, personal, relevance, I once again realised the kinship that exists between all soldiers no matter what side you fought on. Is it not strange that many, maybe most of us who served hold no lasting grudge against our past foes and more often than not are able to reconcile with our "enemies" far sooner than most non military people would expect.
Regards
Marcus
I wrote the following soon after I got home from this mornings Dawn Parade. I wrote it it before knowing about the fatal Iroquois crash this morning. With the news of the tragic accident the short piece that I have written has taken on even more and deeper meaning for me!
My condolences to the families.
I went to our local ANZAC Day, dawn parade here in Hamilton, this morning. At a stretch I would say there was about 2 000+ people at the service. What struck me was the large number of young, school going, kids that made the effort to come to the pre-dawn gathering. All attending in a dignified respectful manner.
Hamilton is known for its misty mornings and this morning was no exception. At 5:50 with the march-past of the veterans completed all the surrounding street lights were turned off with only four spotlights highlighting the top of the cenotaph. The mist and throng of the silent crowd giving the scene an almost surreal feeling. As soon as the Chaplain had finished his short introduction a lone bugler, out of sight, started to play the Last Post. At that exact moment a RNZAF Hercules C 130 flew low over the parade. The timing was absolutely spot-on!!! Although we could not see the aircraft the sound of its engines above the haunting notes of the Last Post sent shivers down my spine!!!! As the sound of the Hercules grew fainter I closed my eyes remembering those that paid the highest price. Just as well that it was dark and the people standing around me could not see why I had to suddenly clean my glasses.....
I am very, very glad that I made the effort to get out of bed at 4:00 this morning. Even though as ex-SADF, Gallipoli does not have any direct, personal, relevance, I once again realised the kinship that exists between all soldiers no matter what side you fought on. Is it not strange that many, maybe most of us who served hold no lasting grudge against our past foes and more often than not are able to reconcile with our "enemies" far sooner than most non military people would expect.
Regards
Marcus
