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Lest We Forget
Apr. 25th, 2010 08:48 amToday is ANZAC Day. I've pointed folks in the direction to learn more on previous Days, however today I'm leaving that as an exercise for the student. There is much to be learned should you do so.
( If it seems odd that a Yank marks this day... read on )
( If it seems odd that a Yank marks this day... read on )
My readers/friends who are either Kiwi's or Aussies know what today is. Or, to some extent, was since the day is well under-way there.
For my US readers/friends, ANZAC Day is much like our Memorial Day, or perhaps like Rememberance Day/Veteran's Day (though that date is also commemorated there).
The specific date is the day when the Australia-New Zealand Army Corps (hence, ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in 1915. During the Great War, Winston Churchill proposed a plan to open the Black Sea to the British Navy, involving a quick landing and overland march to capture Istanbul and take Turkey out of the war as an ally of Germany. Things did not progress quite according to plan. By the time the Army Corps withdrew from the peninsula, over 8000 Australian, 2700 New Zealander, and 65000 Turkish soldiers died. As is often the case in protracted battles, soldiers of both sides grew to respect and appreciate the bravery of their opponents, which (perhaps ironically) leads to better relationships between their countries after the hostilities.
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. Lest we Forget
For my US readers/friends, ANZAC Day is much like our Memorial Day, or perhaps like Rememberance Day/Veteran's Day (though that date is also commemorated there).
The specific date is the day when the Australia-New Zealand Army Corps (hence, ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in 1915. During the Great War, Winston Churchill proposed a plan to open the Black Sea to the British Navy, involving a quick landing and overland march to capture Istanbul and take Turkey out of the war as an ally of Germany. Things did not progress quite according to plan. By the time the Army Corps withdrew from the peninsula, over 8000 Australian, 2700 New Zealander, and 65000 Turkish soldiers died. As is often the case in protracted battles, soldiers of both sides grew to respect and appreciate the bravery of their opponents, which (perhaps ironically) leads to better relationships between their countries after the hostilities.
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. Lest we Forget
I Prefer To Remember
Oct. 26th, 2006 06:35 amTo be honest, there are some things less pleasant to remember. The fear, the anxiety and uncertainty. The lines of news team trucks, blocking roads and slowing traffic.
The deaths. The five deaths.
But I prefer to remember them, and will remember them, I will, because there is excellent reason to keep their memory alive. They are the victims, along with the rest of us who lived in their community.
Sonja Larson, 18, and Christina Powell, 17, Christa Hoyt, 18, Tracy Paules and Manny Taboada, both 23. May they rest in peace.
I will remember Sadie Darnell, who became the face of the Investigation. I do not live in her county, but I wish her the best in her quest to be elected Alachua County Sherriff.
I will not name, ever again, for there is no good reason to remember nor recall that other individual. None. What. So. Ever.
The deaths. The five deaths.
But I prefer to remember them, and will remember them, I will, because there is excellent reason to keep their memory alive. They are the victims, along with the rest of us who lived in their community.
Sonja Larson, 18, and Christina Powell, 17, Christa Hoyt, 18, Tracy Paules and Manny Taboada, both 23. May they rest in peace.
I will remember Sadie Darnell, who became the face of the Investigation. I do not live in her county, but I wish her the best in her quest to be elected Alachua County Sherriff.
I will not name, ever again, for there is no good reason to remember nor recall that other individual. None. What. So. Ever.
No, actually, I'm not speaking of the book nor the HBO series from it.
Today is St. Crispin's Day. Which my friend Houdini brought to my attention here.
I've bought my own reasons for remembering this.
Today is St. Crispin's Day. Which my friend Houdini brought to my attention here.
I've bought my own reasons for remembering this.
