Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Anzac Day Dawn Service...



Apologies straight up for the quality of these shots, except the last :) Not easy conditions! There was a 90% chance that it would rain while we stood in silence yesterday morning during the Anzac Day Dawn Service. Although the numbers were down a bit on previous years over 30,000 did brave the weather, which actually held off until after the service and we were on our way home. We didn't make it to our usual spot overlooking the city but the placement of big screens around the park allowed everyone to watch the ceremonial laying of wreaths.. no screen necessary to experience the spine tingling haunting sounds of The Last Post.


By comparison to today's fighting planes, the frailty of the Tiger Moth planes flying in formation in the turbulent sky above makes you even more aware of how little there was between those brave young pilots and their eventual fate. It never ceases to amaze and move me the number of young people who make the effort to come to the dawn service. Mothers, fathers, grandfathers/mothers and great grandfathers/mothers would be proud. Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe...


24 comments:

  1. Your second shot is my favourite. Here they also set up large screens around the War Memorial on November 11th during the ceremony, and The Last Post has that same effect on me.

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  2. Anzac Day, I learned some thing new today, thanks.

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  3. Like your photos, but not because of the war. Our little town has a company that makes those giant screens. They are used in most of our football stadiums. The Dehavilland Tiger Moth is a beautiful, little biplane, but not much good for war. I would love to have one.

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  4. Well done you for getting there. Wonderful images to commemorate the day.

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  5. Very good!
    The planes came out well!

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  6. A super event and wonderful tribute and I'd say you had a very good turnout. I, too, like the fact that some young folks were present.

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  7. The beams of lighting in the first photo are so atmospheric and love the small moment captured in the last photo. The last post was played at my school during an ANZAC service, and always the whole area seems breathless. Quite moving.

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  8. They spoke about ANZAC Day on our news this morning and I thought of you and of all those brave people that were involved. Good to see they aren't forgotten.

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  9. God Bless the ANZAC Defenders. And thanks for showing the Tiger Moths!

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  10. Hmm. Didn't like a particularly great flying day even in a enclosed flight deck.

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  11. It seems like that cloud filled sky makes the perfect backdrop for such a solemn service.

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  12. I think your pictures turned out great Grace, especially that second one.

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  13. Thanks for this moving coverage of a moving ceremony.
    Jerusalem also had a beautiful service for ANZAC Day.

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  14. It always sends shivers up my spine when I hear the last post. You did well to attend. Take care.

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  15. Impressive experience every year, all those lost lives to remember. Very nice to do the remembrance at dawn.

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  16. Quite moving.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  17. I like the first pic best, Grace :-)
    The Gallipoli-poppy-package still sits by my PC btw.

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  18. Wonderful that the rain held out until the ceremony was finished.
    It's great the the younger generation is also taking part in the commemorations.

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  19. It's good to remember in this way. Pass it along to the younger generations so no one ever forgets.

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  20. I know this day is an important one for Australians. Kind of like our Memorial Day, I imagine.

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  21. An important period of history to honour and respect. Young people are often more sensitive that they are given credit for sometimes.

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