Dawn service

Dawn Service was as inspiring as it was emotional this morning. I was taken aback at just how many people were there. I had missed the past 2 services due to illness and while there were a few at the services back then I cant ever remember it being quite so packed. The number of teens turning up on their own in its self was amazing, then to see them all just standing there soaking up the solemn  atmosphere, standing silently along side  each other and the elderly  all dressed in their suits, proudly displaying their medals is a testament to our nations pride.

As usual I teared up at the beginning of the service when they started talking about the  history of the Dawn service, then again as the soldier started playing on his bugle the last stand. That song never fails to pull at the heart strings. It is such a lonely song. I think it reminds me these days of my own Grand parents now as well. Both Poppa and Granddad fought in ww2. Both carried with them so many issues for the rest of their lives.
At those services I both miss them terribly and feel them close by, perhaps as I age it is just that I am appreciating how much I took for granted as a kid. I loved hearing their war stories-the real war stories. I never stopped to think back then  that I wouldnt get to hear them talk about their lives forever And its only lately I am starting to appreciate just how much what they went through changed who they were and can understand  some of the things they did.
Happy ANZAC Day. If your not from Australia or New Zealand, still take the time to reflect and honour those that made and still make sacrifices so that we are free to have the opinions we have. whether you agree with the  things going on today or not, just take a moment to thank the families that miss out on birthdays, christenings or even sharing a weekend breakfast so we can  do those things with our own families.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urtiyp-G6jY&feature=fvwrel