Is The Spirit of Anzac Fading?

[icyfroth]

As living memory dies off?

Wil the descendants of those Anzacs be able to keep the Spirit alive?

As the new Australians introduce their own legends, traditions and customs, will the Anzac Spirit become dormant? Just another chapter in the History of Terra Australis?

Anzac Day crowds expected to fall

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/04/24/16/03/anzac-day-crowds-expected-to-fall

[icyfroth]

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@lind9650 wrote:

My 11y. old Great-grandson had a discussion in School about ANZAC and other servicemen to be honoured.

The teacher asked some children who in their family had served in the Armed Forces, and many had even two or more family members still serving today.

My Great-grandson had none of this nor any medals to show, but he told the teacher that his family goes to the Dawn Service and march every year to thank those soldiers for making it possible for his Great-grandparents to come to a free country.

Yes, migrants should be made aware that without our brave men Australia would not be the free country it is today.

I used to go to the Dawn Service, but now I too have to content with TV.

Erica

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Yes that's so true, Erica.

We owe those young men that died in the spirit of ANZAC so much, even the immigrants that have inherited their legacy.

Will subsequent generations of Australians continue to honour that sacrifice?

[lloydslights]

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@imastawka wrote:

Inflammatory and a nice try, but...

The new wording on the Australian Army Chaplaincy badge is under consideration and no decision has been made at this time.”

That article was from November 2015 and there have been no further news reports.

So, has it happened and they're not saying? 

Or it didn't fly with the powers that be?

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Australian Government - Defence News & Media - 30/11/2015

Response to media reporting regarding Army Chaplaincy badge

The Army is aware of recent reporting regarding a change to the Australian Army’s Chaplaincy badge, which is officially known as the Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department badge. This reporting is misleading. A change to the Australian Army Chaplaincy badge is not a matter the Chief of Army is currently considering.

http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/11/30/response-to-media-reporting-regarding-army-chaplaincy-badge/

DEB

[lyndal1838]

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@icyfroth wrote:

She cited low ratings for the Nine Network's Gallipoli series that could indicate Australians have become bored by a story they've heard so many times before.

I cannot answer for anyone else but I have a copy on DVD of that series so don't necessarily watch it every time it is on TV.

One possible alternative was to reimagine Anzac Day as a time to remember loss in war everywhere.

So what does she think has already happened.  There are no ANZACS atteneding marches or services but they are not showing any sign of disappearing.

The flag is being flown now by people who have served in all wars since WW1 and I imagine that the current serving members will instill pride in their (now) very young children and they will carry the tradition forward.

The Australian National University academic will be speaking at the Gallipoli 1915 conference in Canberra this week.She is one of a number of speakers reviewing the ill-fated military campaign a century on.

There is nothing left to review about an ill-fated military campaign a century on.   It has all been said before and as far as I know we are the only country that celebrates a defeat in battle. So be it.

The conference opens on Wednesday with Oxford University academic Hew Strachan presenting the keynote address.A panel of experts will discuss why the campaign failed.  Who really cares after all this time...what are they going to do about it.

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[imastawka]

She cited low ratings for the Nine Network's Gallipoli series that could indicate Australians have become bored by a story they've heard so many times before

I don't think bored was the right term for the TV series,

but probably unnecessary viewing.   Australians know the ins and outs of Gallipoli,

so probably watched something else. 

That doesn't equate to bored IMO, just knowledge of the events.

The Australian National University academic will be speaking at the Gallipoli 1915 conference in Canberra this week.

She is one of a number of speakers reviewing the ill-fated military campaign a century on.

The conference opens on Wednesday with Oxford University academic Hew Strachan presenting the keynote address.

A panel of experts will discuss why the campaign failed.

And there have been panels of experts for decades dissecting why the campaign

failed, so nothing new there for the Professor - just gives her something to do

One possible alternative was to reimagine Anzac Day as a time to remember loss in war everywhere

I thought we already did that.

[imastawka]

George, the face of this year's ANZAC campaign

 http://www.msn.com/en-au/video/watch/anzac-kid/vi-BBsczWJ?ocid=spartanntp

[zanadoo_56]

There was much talk about the relevancy of ANZAC Day in the 1970s....and of course the Vietnam War and the hippy peace movement probably didn't help attitudes.

There were also a lot of WWII veterans (like my father) who wouldn't march.  He did his war service and in fact re enlisted after the war...but the fighting itself he wanted to forget and put it all behind him.  So he would watch the parade on TV but wouldn't march...and there were a lot of ex-servicepeople who felt the same way.

With the passing of WWI veterans interest in ANZAC Day has been growing.  I think it is something that waxes and wanes in the public eye, but it will always exist because current serving members of the armed forces take part in all the parades, the dawn services and other local ceremonies if called upon for assistance.

[lyndal1838]

For years the Vietnam Vets could not join the RSL, could not march on Anzac Day and could not qualify for War Service Home Loans because it was not a declared war.  It is little wonder that they were not too keen on the whole idea of commemorations.

The Naval personel were denied any form of compensation or "perks" of war service because the ships were not in the harbour for long enough.

It had to be 6 continuous days but HMAS Sydney and her escorts were in and out in 3.  Did not matter that members like my husband did that on 3 occasions.

[chameleon54]

I know a number of Vietnam Vets. Some have managed to rebuild "normal" lives, but then suddenly fall apart decades later. One guy I worked with was fine until any helicopters flew over. He would then panic and run and hide, quivering  in the nearest trees or bushes, reliving the terrors of war.

Another neighbour on a farming property lived a perfectly " normal' life until in his late 50,s when he had a break down and could not continue farming.

There is a colony of Vietnam vets living on isolated scrub properties in my old district. All single, all with dependency issues, all hiding away from people and society. Basically hermits. These are great guys that I got to know through the blues music bands that I played in. But all very damaged individuals. Maybe they all just gathered in this particular area, but it seemed just about every Vietnam vet I knew had their lives destroyed by that war.

Lest we forget 

[lloydslights]

This year, I thought about an extra person; other than the grand-uncle who died at Gallipoli, my Dad  (POW), and my uncle (New Guinea), and older school friends who served in and around Vietnam (Army and Navy)  

About 20 years ago, I first met a tiny lady of mature years.  Over the 2 decades of our developing friendship, I finally learnt that she had been from the age of 11, "trained".  First for Tea Ceremonies and progressing to be a "Comfort Woman" for the hierachy of the Japanese Forces in Java.

She wasn't Australian at the time of WWII.  But she performed her own duties during the War.    She never married.  God Bless You R------.

DEB

[zanadoo_56]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

For years the Vietnam Vets could not join the RSL, could not march on Anzac Day and could not qualify for War Service Home Loans because it was not a declared war.  It is little wonder that they were not too keen on the whole idea of commemorations.

The Naval personel were denied any form of compensation or "perks" of war service because the ships were not in the harbour for long enough.

It had to be 6 continuous days but HMAS Sydney and her escorts were in and out in 3.  Did not matter that members like my husband did that on 3 occasions.

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The RSL were a very exclusive mob at one time...all out of proportion IMO.  This was some years ago and I don't know if it had to do with not having worked in a war posting or because of rank, but my hubby at the time (full time serving member) found he was only entitled to associate membership of the RSL....and he was left with no doubt by 'the old guard' that they were doing him a massive favour by letting him join.  LOL  He lasted one year and didn't bother again.

Nowdays in order to survive, they have the pokies...and to judge by the adverts let anyone in.