Thursday, April 26, 2012

Respect...


There were over forty thousand people in Kings Park for the Anzac Day Dawn Service yesterday. It was a little surreal making our way through groups of people standing or sitting in the pre- dawn darkness silently waiting for the sun to rise and the service to begin. It's probably the only time that such a vast crowd, including babies and young children who seemed to catch the mood, remain so remarkably quiet that it's almost a little eerie, a fitting show of respect for the Anzac legend. There's something about the sound of the bugle playing the Last Post after the ceremony of laying of the wreaths that I'm sure stirs images in all of us of weary soldiers in camp at the end of the day mourning the loss of mates. The heavens above displayed  their respect in a spectacular show of colour, the above shot was taken just as the sun was appearing above the horizon and the one below not long after.....
Aimee was right there with me taking her own shots, her hair matching the sunrise perfectly....!
The Tiger Moth flyby.....
The Flame of Remembrance (The Eternal flame).....
And there will always be sailors checking out the pretty ladies.....!!
Or perhaps silently remembering the bravery of the men and women from Western Australia who were killed in action during WW1 and all subsequent conflicts who's names are listed on the inner chamber walls of the crypt under the State War Memorial . I heard the Last Post and Reveille many times through the day yesterday and own up to a lump in the throat everytime, that's just the way it is. Lest we forget.

35 comments:

  1. Sounds like a perfect ceremony. I like the idea of watching a sunrise together. How nice you were rewarded with such a gorgeous one.

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  2. Shalom dear Grace. I couldn't ask for better pictures of the dawn service! You really give the atmosphere of it all. It gives me a tear or two just reading.
    So many people came! That's wonderful.

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  3. Oh, yes, what stunningly beautiful captures of the dawn service, Grace! These are awesome! I can almost feel the breathless quiet! Such an incredible way to honor those who have given so much! What a very moving morning it must have been for everyone! Thank you for sharing the beauty!

    Sylvia

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  4. What a beautiful job today, Grace! I can only imagine the lump in your throat - same thing for me when I attend a remembrance ceremony. Beautiful sunrise and awesome photos. Blessings!

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  5. This is a wonderful post, Grace! Very moving. 40,000 people? Wow! Love your photos and thank you for sharing this event with us. You are a wonderful photographer!

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  6. Wonderful! And nature gave a perfect tribute for the day!

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  7. What a wonderful way to celebrate! It's so moving to see the sun rising,and to share memories with all those people in such a wonderful landscape. Great tribute!

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  8. So sad. My relatives fought in the Pacific theater (strange name for an area of bloodshed). One family nearly perished in a Japanese prison camp.

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  9. Your account of so many people standing quietly in the dim pre-dawn light is very moving. Your beautiful photos put me there with you. Thank you.

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  10. A very special way to remember. It is impressive to see so many people go to the sunrise remembrance. Thank you for sharing, I didn't know about this.

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  11. A beautiful post! Your weather seems a tad more friendly than our Melbourne weather! People braved winds, rain and cold to attend dawn services. Still there were thousands including children!

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  12. Wonderful tribute, Grace. Terrific to hear so many people attended the event.

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  13. La premiere photo est MAGNIFIQUE, superbe photo de nuit de la ville

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  14. What a great series of photos - a very interesting post. That first shot in particular has an amazing atmosphere.

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  15. Bonza photos. I always have a lump in my throat when i hear the last post :-).

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  16. An excellent series of photos for an important day of remembrance!
    Nice posting, Grace!

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  17. It looks to be very moving.

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  18. That's an amazing amount of people at the dawn service Grace .... Great captures of a very special morning.

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  19. A touching representation of this important moment of rememberance, beautifully expressed in words and pictures. Well done, Gracie.
    SueC.

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  20. a beautiful post - captured the feel complete!

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  21. Very spectacular skyline shots. The crimson one is superbe. Congrats Grace.

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  22. a very beautiful post, grace. you definitely capture the mood in these shots, particularly the first.

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  23. Maravillosas fotografias...un beso desde Murcia..seguimos..

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  24. Beautiful photos Grace, I wish I had gone too, but the friend I was going with fell sick and I decided not to go, but now I regret it! Next year...

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  25. that last shot is perfection (not that the others werent super) .. I have mild dyslexia .. I started reading wondering why Aussies were observing AZTEC Day and what the heck was AZTEC Day .. oy ..

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  26. What a touching post with some outstanding photos! It must have been a beautiful ceremony.

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  27. and certainly a meaningful tribute.
    the weather was right and the sky was just perfect.
    can't get my eyes off the 1st foto.

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  28. Oh Grace what a beautiful service and your photos are wonderful. I love the last one though. So full of emotion.
    V

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  29. Wonderful photographs, and moving moment.

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