"At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them."
25 April is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand, when we gather at war memorials all over the world, and at Gallipoli itself, to remember our fallen from all wars.
This year, due to the Covid 19 restrictions on gatherings, Anzac services and marches across the world were cancelled. Instead we were encouraged at dawn (6am) to stand with a candle at the end of our driveways, farm gates and balconies, in an act of personal tribute, remembrance and thankfulness. People did this all across Australia - the response was amazing. Covid 19 may have
robbed us of our mass gatherings on Anzac Day but could not rob our united
Aussie national heart. A very different Anzac Day, but no less poignant. Although for me I look forward to the traditional Dawn Service at the town war memorial next year.
The first Anzac Day services were held in 1916. The only other time Anzac Day services and marches were cancelled was in 1942 during World War 2.
The first Anzac Day services were held in 1916. The only other time Anzac Day services and marches were cancelled was in 1942 during World War 2.
My niece told me about their neighbour who suffers from PTSD and really struggles on Anzac Day They invited him to stand at the end of the drive way with them, and told them later how much it meant to him and how it changed in a positive way his feelings about Anzac Day. I wonder if there were many more like him.
I have written about Anzac Day before and my great uncle Norman Clayden who was killed in the early days of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915 and my husband's uncle Richard Ramsden who died in a Prisoner of War camp in Burma in 1943.
You can read more about them, and other Anzac Day traditions on my old posts -
Last year we visited the amazing "Field of Lights" in Albany - Anzac Day 2019 - and the field of lights
Installed along the Avenue of Honour on Mt Clarence in Albany on Western Australia's south
coast. This art installation, created with 16,000 lights by Bruce Munro
pays homage to the 41,000 troops who departed from Albany on their way
to World War 1. For some Albany would be their last view of Australia. It was a very moving experience to walk along this avenue to see the lights.
What else has been happening this week? Here is my latest update of my Photo a Day Project. We are still under social distancing rules, and I am still in my moon boot, but we did go out for a couple of coffee morning drives.
Clockwise from top left - crafting with an egg carton, it's raining - the view from my kitchen window, playing with light sparkles on water, eco-print doodling, our Covid total last Monday (lacking inspiration), coffee morning at the beach, Anzac morning, and in the centre my Anzac Day wreath.
In the centre there you can see the Anzac Day wreath I made from an egg carton, inspired by a friend and her girls. Easy-peezy.
We sat near overlooking the beach while we drank our take away coffee. I am looking forward to going to walking on the beach again, this is as close as I could get. We are having the last burst of beautiful autumn weather.
And I have been playing with doodling with ink and marri bark paint over some of my botanical eco-print eucalypt leaf prints.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. If you are from Australia or New Zealand, how did you remember Anzac Day this year? Perhaps you would like to share in your comments.
I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
My corner of the world through my camera
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
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