Well, we both Anzaced it I see, Max, you more specifically. 'vaguely pious'
is an interesting expression and I sort of get it. Not to be sniffed at
these committed chaps but neither are we the full bottle on
unstinting worship. Surprisingly, there was a bit of reluctance to toady to
the legend expressed in Melbourne newspapers this year, both in article
form and in letters to the editor. Not that what was done a hundred years
ago has changed factually but the methods of 'celebrating' the date have
come in for closer scrutiny. At the MCG where the Anzac Day footy fixture
was played between Collingwood and Essendon, army jeeps and trucks were
parked outside the ground. I saw small girls, giggling and exploring the
shelves in the trucks. Pretty off to have the equipment on show I thought.
But at least they've dropped the military fly-bys.
Interestingly, a statue to a conscientious objector was unveiled, in New
Zealand, perhaps Auckland perhaps. I'll track it down for you.
I'm trying to get my head around how a drill sergeant might do his business
'wryly'.
Liked your wrap-up here at the end. Not too much of this 'slipping' out
pre-dawn!
Bill
On Wednesday, 27 April 2016, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> Anzac Day, Seattle
>
>
> How good, to rise early,
> slip out the door, head
> down before sunrise
>
> to the gathering place
> near the lake edge,
> knowing nobody here.
>
> Vaguely pious, I’m
> of a generation
> spared war itself.
>
> Uncles had known it -
> France, Gallipoli -
> told nephews nothing.
>
> Second War - a cousin
> or two; safe at school, I.
> Dad in Home Guard boots
>
> practiced First Aid, changed,
> went off to lawn-bowls.
> High-school teachers - some
>
> had been at the War;
> quietly now drilled the school
> cadet battalion wryly.
>
> Us? - conscripted at eighteen
> to Camp to play at soldiers
> through a slow summer.
>
> Instructors knew Korea.
> We were just America’s
> little helpers, as once
>
> Britain’s. The next war
> would be nuclear.
> Wrong. Vietnam.
>
> A student of mine -
> Melbourne this was -
> conscripted, turned
>
> objector, suffered
> Army discipline.
> Washington, Canberra,
>
> wouldn’t give peace a chance.
> Some took to the streets,
> desperate, ineffectual,
>
> till Saigon fell.
> They were years when
> Anzac Day made no sense.
>
> Now I’m old, perspective
> and a little reading
> suggests two public days
>
> sharing sadness, not
> mere patriotism:
> 11th November,
>
> think of Wilfred Owen.
> 25th April - especially
> now we’re joined by Turks.
>
> Even so remote a town
> as American Seattle
> brings together three sets
>
> of rememberers.
> I think: I could carry
> two flags if I had them;
>
> eyes would fill with tears
> when the bugle plays;
> and share after
>
> in the promised barbecue.
> How good to go early -
> if only I’d gone.
>
> Next year perhaps,
> should I live so long,
> and wake well before dawn.
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