Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 9, 2006 19:07:27 GMT 12
I see on teletext that there's a debate going on in Australia over whether descendants of veterans should be allowed to march in the Anzac Day parades. John Howard has said he's not getting involved in the debate and it's up to the RSL to decide.
Apparently the Rats of Tobruk Association has said it would ruin the meaning of the day to have children and non-veterans marching.
What do you think?
I have marched in one Anzac Day parade, in 1989 at Picton, in my RNZAF uniform whilst a serving airman. Serving personnel are encouraged here to partiake if in uniform it seems. Ever since I joined the RNZRSA in 1997 I have been encouraged to march with the veterans, to help 'fill out the numbers', but I have always declined as, even as an ex-Serviceman I am neither a veteran nor anywhere near worthy of the honour that is bestowed on those great men and women who parade.
Sadly they grow fewer every year now and here in Cambridge about half the vets who can still march are actually those who served in Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, etc. One or two had long service careers in peacetime too.
Personally I don't think descendants, children and Joe nobody's should march with the veterans, but this then would spell the end of the parade itself in a few years time. In Cambriudge we have two parades, the second involving scouts, guides, the band, schols, etc behind the vets in the parade. It's appropriate there for them to march.
Mind you at last year's parade I did note one veteran in the parade, in his 80's at least, had his grandson, perhaps great-grandson, by his side holding his hand. That was certainly quite touching, and must have been a huge thrill for the boy who'll no doubt never forget it.
Certainly a very tough debate to find a side on.
Apparently the Rats of Tobruk Association has said it would ruin the meaning of the day to have children and non-veterans marching.
What do you think?
I have marched in one Anzac Day parade, in 1989 at Picton, in my RNZAF uniform whilst a serving airman. Serving personnel are encouraged here to partiake if in uniform it seems. Ever since I joined the RNZRSA in 1997 I have been encouraged to march with the veterans, to help 'fill out the numbers', but I have always declined as, even as an ex-Serviceman I am neither a veteran nor anywhere near worthy of the honour that is bestowed on those great men and women who parade.
Sadly they grow fewer every year now and here in Cambridge about half the vets who can still march are actually those who served in Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, etc. One or two had long service careers in peacetime too.
Personally I don't think descendants, children and Joe nobody's should march with the veterans, but this then would spell the end of the parade itself in a few years time. In Cambriudge we have two parades, the second involving scouts, guides, the band, schols, etc behind the vets in the parade. It's appropriate there for them to march.
Mind you at last year's parade I did note one veteran in the parade, in his 80's at least, had his grandson, perhaps great-grandson, by his side holding his hand. That was certainly quite touching, and must have been a huge thrill for the boy who'll no doubt never forget it.
Certainly a very tough debate to find a side on.