ANZAC DAY

Thursday was Anzac Day (Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served".).

We  got up just after 5 a.m. and went in to town to the Dawn Service.  The local paper estimated that there were about 6,500 people there.  It was a very poignant service. Every year 30 names are read from the list of fallen on the cenotaph and it will take 21 years for all the names to be read out.  This is just the ones in the city itself as there are numerous war memorials around the area.

There was a strong police presence (as there was at all services with many cancelled as a result of the Terrorism in Christchurch) however, although we saw several police cars, we did not see any police.  

It was then home for breakfast and a finally a fairly quiet day.

ANZAC DAY

This morning we went to the Anzac Day Memorial Service in Kamo.  I also went last year and a lot of thought is put into  planning of the service.

After that we drove down to Laurie Hall Park in Whangarei itself where the Dawn Service was held to see the crosses and wreaths.

In the photo below there is a Monarch Butterfly on the front cross.  Unfortunately, it has its wings closed in the photo.

There were too many people standing in front of the wreaths to get a photo of the whole table

I have some large gaps in my garden now as I had several large bushes and lots of day lilies removed yesterday.  It looks better already and we sprayed the weeds that are left today and, when they die, I will replant.  Several other areas are planned for this treatment - watch this space.

ANZAC DAY

There was a Dawn Service in Whangarei Town Centre but I elected to go to the 10.30 a.m. service here in Kamo - an easy stroll from home.

It was held in the Kamo War Memorial Hall and a lot of thought had, obviously, gone into its planning.  One gentleman had been to Belgium last year to visit the War Graves and it was very moving hearing about his experiences with slides of the Graves playing in the background.

We heard the story of the penning of "In Flanders Fields" which was read out.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae - May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

                                        On the walk to the service - the street next to ours

                                       Kamo main street

                                        The old oaks next to the hall

                                       This lovely house is next to the hall

 On my walk back home taken from the same spot as the one on my way to the hall.