Where did you go on Anzac Day

[turboNZ]

Greetings,

My fiancee and I got up at 4.30am this morning.
We travelled to the Cenotaph just outside the Beehive for this morning's ceremony at 5.30am.
Amazed at how many people braved the freezing cold damp weather to pay tribute to your fallen ANZAC comrades.
I must say, Don Brash's speech was absolutely superb!!
Very direct, educational and inspirational.
Thoroughly moved by this morning's service.

Cheers
Chris

[Dave Homewood]

I went to the Cambridge Dawn Parade, which started at 5.55am. It concluded at about 6.45 at which point it is obligigatory to go to the RSA fr a cuppa topped up generously with rum. However since we no longer have an RSA (Cambridge RSA closed down in December 03 due to poor management and lack of patrons) the 'designated' RSA was the National Hotel, which is right next to the Cenotaph. So a hearty rum-cuppa and a couple of pints with my mates later, and it was time to return ou into the cold briefly for the Civic Parade. Most of this, unlike Dawn Parade is held indoors and you get a seat in the warm. That went for about an hour, then off outside for wreath laying, and at the conclusion, we went to my best mate's house for several more chotapegs.

What exactly did Brash say? I hear it was controversial and in support of the defence force. It seems National has finally said they would do (promise, promise) something worth voting for - raise the defence budget by 20% and employ more defence personnel. Interesting from the bean-counter party.

Realistically, the Defence Budget now per year is exactly the same as it was 15 years ago, a billion dollars. We've purchased a huge number of new ships in that time, plus a large number of army vehicles, and yet lost half of the RNZAF. Most would agree these days in defence, war and peacetime activities, including relief workj, the Air Force is the most important service and surely way more important than a navy. Navies were outdated by WWII and today serve only as floating drinks cabinets unless you have aircraft carriers.

Plus in that 15 years when the budget has been squandered we've lost all the personnel and the skills base that goes with that, and at least half the defence land owned and maintained 15 years ago. Not a good record. If National could really do better, which I doubt they will as it seems like just another bribe for votes, I might vote for the pack of lying thieves, rather than any of the other lying thieves in the other parties.

[turboNZ]

Basically Brash gave a great speech about never forgetting our fallen comrades and the like. Wasn't all drippy like Dame Silvia's was last year.

He did say something along the lines of if we keep not spending in the right places and letting our defence Forces go to the pack then we are dishonouring our warriors.
It was a tad political but then again he is a politician first, public speaker second.
I'm not saying I support the guy or anything, just stating what I heard.

Cheers
Chris

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Chris,

Interesting how today, a week later, Labour suddenly announces additional budget of $3 billion for the Defence Forces. (over ten years though, so annually an average of $300 million)

I wonder how mucvh will go to the beleaguered RNZAF though.

[turboNZ]

I wonder if a breakdown of that is available, like where the money is actually being allocated.
Would be very interesting.

Cheers
TNZ