# Anzac Day **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 25, 2010, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291 "2010-04-25T09:05:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/1 "2010-04-25T09:05:50Z")
Today is Anzac Day where we pay tribute to those who served in the military. The date is that when the Allied forces landed at Gallipoli in the Great War for that ill fated campaign. To those great uncles of mine who I never knew because of the Great war- and all others who suffered so much, I raise my glass. "In the rear of the ridge near Lone Pine, lay the remains of many men… they lay until four years later an Australian burial party interred them. They needed no epitaph. It was enough that they lay on Pine Ridge. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/2 "2010-04-25T09:29:13Z")
> **[For the Fallen - Wikisource, the free online library](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/For_the_Fallen)** > [@](#): > > They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; > Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. > At the going down of the sun and in the morning > We will remember them. ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/3 "2010-04-25T11:19:04Z")
Lest we forget. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/4 "2010-04-25T13:30:54Z")
When you go home, tell them of us and say: For your tomorrow we gave our today. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/5 "2010-04-25T13:47:22Z")
^ Wrong country, wrong battlefield, wrong army, wrong war. I have always wondered why ANZAC day is celebrated, after all the result of the battle was getting thrown back into the sea. If a day to Australian martial ability is needed, should be 8th August; the Battle of Aimens, the decisive days of the First World War. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/6 "2010-04-25T19:21:06Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I have always wondered why ANZAC day is celebrated From what I understand, it’s a day of remembrance. A Memorial Day for those Down Under to remember all those who didn’t return from Gallipoli, Amiens, and elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/7 "2010-04-25T19:48:03Z")
By the way, Amiens hadn’t yet happened when the first Anzac Day was observed. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/8 "2010-04-25T21:20:32Z")
[And the Band Played ‘Waltzing Matilda’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYynHmE8b0) [Can You Hear Australia’s Heroes Marching?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgC9bOB1l2g&feature=related) (Youtube videos) > [@](#): > > At the rising of the sun and at its going down We remember them. > At the blowing of the wind and the chill of winter We remember them. > At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring We remember them. > At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer We remember them. > At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn We remember them. > At the beginning of the year and when it ends We remember them. > As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them. > When we are weary and in need of strength We remember them. > When we are lost and sick at heart We remember them. > When we have joy we crave to share We remember them. > When we have decisions that are difficult to make We remember them. > When we have achievements that are based on theirs We remember them. > As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them. ---
**Author:** ![maplekiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@maplekiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maplekiwi)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/9 "2010-04-25T21:36:35Z")
I wish ANZAC Day was still observed properly. (shops closed all day instead of just in the morning) The generations before us sacrificed so much. I feel so lucky & privileged to have been born when I was. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/10 "2010-04-25T21:54:33Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > ^ > Wrong country, wrong battlefield, wrong army, wrong war. Thanks very much for the correction. /deadpan Pom ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/11 "2010-04-26T02:41:20Z")
…I didn’t make it to the dawn service yesterday morning, but I went to the mid-morning parade at the Cenotaph. My photos are below. Also visited Wrights Hill Reserve: a series of gun emplacements (one group of many) built to protect Wellington from sea-fearing baddies. [http://picasaweb.google.com/banquetbear/25thAprilANZACDayParadeAndWrightsHillReserve#](http://picasaweb.google.com/banquetbear/25thAprilANZACDayParadeAndWrightsHillReserve#) ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/12 "2010-04-26T04:32:41Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I have always wondered why ANZAC day is celebrated, after all the result of the battle was getting thrown back into the sea. If a day to Australian martial ability is needed, should be 8th August; the Battle of Aimens, the decisive days of the First World War. My guess? Because we’re remembering a sacrifice, not celebrating a victory or prowess at battle ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/13 "2010-04-26T04:42:31Z")
Salute ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/14 "2010-04-26T05:11:50Z")
As a veteran of the United States Navy and as the son of a veteran of the United States Army I recognize the sacrifices they have made. Stand proud. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/15 "2010-04-26T06:02:39Z")
> [@Essured](#): > > My guess? Because we’re remembering a sacrifice, not celebrating a victory or prowess at battle Although not an Aussie or a Kiwi, I believe that is correct. I have no problem with the date or the commemoration, and I salute the lads. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/16 "2010-04-26T07:57:30Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > ^ > Wrong country, wrong battlefield, wrong army, wrong war. > > I have always wondered why ANZAC day is celebrated, after all the result of the battle was getting thrown back into the sea. If a day to Australian martial ability is needed, should be 8th August; the Battle of Aimens, the decisive days of the First World War. A few reasons for the celebration, but please don’t forget that ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. And its not so much a celebration as a rememberance - if I recall correctly (fior example) New Zealand sacrificed more per capita than any other nation in this war. For us, the Gallipoli campaign also very much symbolises our coming of age as a nation… ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/17 "2010-04-26T12:59:31Z")
Is there still resentment in Australia, New Zealand, about the incompetent British generals who sent all those young men off to their deaths? I remember seeing “Gallipoli”-and wondering about the idiots who sent the Anzac troops into certain death, for objectives which meant nothing. Is Gen. Ian Hamilton a revered figure in Australia? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/18 "2010-04-26T13:35:07Z")
I know that these are probably fighting words to most Australians and New Zealanders, but the mistake of landing on the wrong area was made by the commanders on the ground not the Generals, the commanders being mostly Aussie and Kiwi. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/19 "2010-04-26T14:02:57Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Is there still resentment in Australia, New Zealand, about the incompetent British generals who sent all those young men off to their deaths? > I remember seeing “Gallipoli”-and wondering about the idiots who sent the Anzac troops into certain death, for objectives which meant nothing. > Is Gen. Ian Hamilton a revered figure in Australia? In WWI, it was still accepted war tactics to practice defensive line and frontal assault combat. The war in Europe dragged on and on with staggering casualties because each side would take turns charging across unprotected terrain into withering frontal fire, then retreat to their trenches if they couldn’t dislodge the defenders. The whistle blew, and you went over the top. Both Britain and France lost an entire generation of young men in the war. The generals would not consider any other tactic, which is why Pershing refused to allow American troops to serve under British/French commanders. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291/20 "2010-04-26T17:18:04Z")
I always tear uo when I read the plaque that’s on the cliff: “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours… you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anzac-day/537291.md?page=2)