Australians Remember

Earlier today, with an almost full moon still beaming, thousands gathered in Brisbane's CBD for the Anzac Day dawn service (pictured).

The Australian prime minister attended the dawn service in Townsville, north Queensland.  Townsville, where the weather can reach 50 degrees or more, is Australia's Aldershot.

As well as paying respect to the fallen, a senior officer asked people to remember today's veterans.

"We not only honour those who have died to protect our way of life, but we also honour those were wounded physically and emotionally and those who have stayed at home to support personnel in operations.

"We honour those friends and family who continue to support personnel after they return."

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An Engineering Experiment Too Far

Australians will be marking ANZAC day on Wednesday 25 April and plans are being prepared for the centenary celebrations in 2015.

While the Australian Labor party continues its meltdown, politics has continued and within hours of the Queensland result a Perth newspaper reported that the Federal Coalition 'has been warned that celebrating the centenary of Anzac Day could provoke division in multicultural Australia - and that there are 'risks' in honouring our fallen soldiers'.

Almost $370,000 of taxpayer's money was spent on focus group testing and a research paper used by the Government to guide commemoration plans, which list multiculturalism under 'risks and issues' to avoid 'unexpected negative complications'.

"While the 100th anniversaries are thought to provide some opportunity for creating a greater sense of unity, it is also recognised as a potential area of divisiveness."

It's very obvious from the 390 comments that Australians are angry - not only about the expense but politicians interference in the day they remember their fallen.

Some say it's political correctness taken a step too far. I no longer believe in political correctness. It should be given its 'politically correct' name - social engineering, because that's what it is.  Social engineering has its place in societies but when it's manipulated by governments as a process of deceiving people into giving away the culture and customs, it is dangerous.

The film Wag The Dog is an excellent example of the dark side of social engineering methods being employed by politicians.

Usually governments are quite subtle in methods of changing systems but this utterly tactless, expensive report from the Australian government and motivated by moralists in government, will possibly bring about the demise of the Labor and Green parties.

Considering altering the way in which populations honour their fallen is an experiment too far. These remembrance days should not involve politics at all, as they are planned and organised by veteran associations such as the Royal British Legion, who raise their funds from public donations and not from 100% government grants.

I trust the UK government will take note of the responses of many Australians to this 'experiment'. 'Leave well alone' springs to mind.

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Commemoration

ANZAC Day, 25 April, is probably Australia's most important national occasion.  It marks the anniversary of the first major military operation fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

Today Australians will reflect on the many different meanings of war and throughout the country Dawn Services will be observed.

The poem was sent by an Australian friend who shares my view there is no glory in war, only pain and grief.  Dialogue is far more valuable. None of our recent leaders has had personal experience of war - more's the pity - because if they had been active participants they may not be so extravagant with the use of our armed forces.

THE FINAL INSPECTION The soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. 'Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you ? Have you always turned the other cheek ? To My Church have you been true?' The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 'No, Lord, I guess I ain't Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand. There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod. As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgement of his God. 'Step forward now, you soldier, You've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell.' Author Unknown

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Lest We Forget

Anzac Day

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