A Coming of Age

Today I had intended to attend the ANZAC service here, but I was awake at 5.00 and feeling like there was something I should do. We don't have a dawn service here in Murchison but it felt right to go down to our local cenotaph and pay my respects there. It seemed appropriate that it was pouring with rain and gave me ample time to reflect on life in the trenches for our servicemen. One of the minor difference was that I got to come home and have a hot shower and a hot cuppa.

I guess I wasn't the only one who felt this need, as there were a half dozen others hunched under umbrellas in the dark. We acknowledged each other with nods - no other greetings seemed appropriate or necessary.

As many other Australian and New Zealand blippers have already referred to today, 25th April is the day we remember the ANZAC's (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). A day we remember all those who sacrificed in any way by going to war to fight for the freedom of our country and the commonwealth.

It is really a day we celebrate the coming of age of New Zealanders. This does not take anything from the founding of New Zealand (celebrated by Waitangi Day on 6th February every year) but defines a point we look back on and acknowledge as our coming together as a definitive country. The time we stood for New Zealand (and Australia) not just for the commonwealth.

I have seen many blips today acknowledging ANZAC day in one way or another, so had intended to do something different - perhaps a reflection shot and refer to reflecting on the freedom those soldiers fought for. But in the end I felt I personally needed to post a blip that related more directly to today. A New Zealand passport (the one Blaze had just received and never had a chance to use) and a poppy (representation of the poppies of "In Flanders Fields" and of our servicemen who fought for our freedom).

In Flanders Fields
Lt. Col. John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Yes, I know McCrae was a Canadian but the sentiments are the same no matter where the servicemen are from or where they are buried.