ANZAC DAY 2015

I’ve been lucky enough to be in Australia for the last three ANZAC days and able to attend a dawn service in whatever city I was at on the day
My Pop marched for years every April 25th and when he couldn’t walk it anymore, one of his kids would push his wheelchair in the parade.

Pop’s not with us anymore, and ANZAC Day is probably more important to us now that he’s gone.

This year, I’m home in Chicago, and happy to learn that they have a service for ANZAC day here every year.

It’s a rainy, cool day here today and I wondered how many people would show up

Turns out a lot would…

Brollies in hand, us Aussie and Kiwi expats came out in droves to commemorate those who have fought and died for our countries
It was held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the city – a beautiful spot, even on a dark and dreary morning

It was both my girl’s first time attending an ANZAC Day service, and they were keen as mustard for it – particularly as this year marks the 100th anniversary
I had to brush up on my history (hello Google) to answer the eleventy-hundred ANZAC related questions they had
I’ve been attending ANZAC Day dawn services since I was a schoolkid – and it felt pretty great to pass that on down to my own children.

The Last Post never fails to make me tear up, and this year was no exception
I think hearing it played so well (great job Mark Olen!) only increased the lump in my throat

The Australian Consulate General & The New Zealand Honorary Consulate did such a good job this year, with both the ceremony and the breakfast afterwards. On such a significant day, they delivered a much appreciated piece of home to so many.

Proud Aussie sheila, right here.

As a special touch, all the children that attended were gifted with a commemorative coin/medallion – how cool are they?

My favourite quote of the day came from Magoo:

“I feel important and special that my Groppy (what she called her Great-Grandfather, my Pop) fought for Australia in the Second World War and my Grandpa fought for America in Vietnam. We get to be happy and awesome because of them. We’re very lucky Mum!”

Yes we are.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

LEST WE FORGET.