What is your first memory of ANZAC Day?

I remember marching in the Anzac Day parade as a brownie when I was about 7 yrs old. And I continued to March and take part in the Anzac Day parades and services while I was a brownie/guide for many years.
When my D was born and old enough to have some kind of understanding I started taking her to dawn services and marches. Even during covid there was that time where people stood at the end of their driveways and played/ listened to the last post at down and we did that. It’s really important to me that my D grow a up knowing about our Anzacs and the sacrifices they made for us.

As I wasn't born here, Anzac day wasn't really a thing for me until I attended a dawn service when I was in scouts. Since then it has become a day of reflection, mourning, respect and gratitude to all who have served and everyone who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we have today.

I love how early you were involved in marches, @Bow , and how you've started talking to D about it ❤️

I was also thinking about COVID ANZAC Day(s) too earlier today. I remember standing out in my driveway with a candle, expecting that no one else would be doing what I was doing, and I look up and down my street and saw so many of my neighbours doing the same thing. Really made me feel connected during a time where connection was so difficult.

I love how you've framed that, @Former-Member . I think gratitude is definitely one for me too.

I don’t comment on other posts at the moment but this one is dear to my heart @0ddsidian

I don’t have a first memory of ANZAC day. I have just been to them since I was born. We watch the march but the most important is the service. We have a spot that we stand at. Nan and pop always stood there too.

Where we stand is the side of the rotunda that is where my uncle is recognised for his ultimate sacrifice. It’s something that we have always done and always will. I get so disappointed when I have to work as I can’t attend.

We also attend Vietnam Veterans day and Remembrance Day.

On the 40th anniversary of my Uncles sacrifice dad actually march in the parade with his brothers medals. That is a memorable moment. I was so proud of Dad. I was 40 at the time.

I am a proud niece with a hero for an uncle.

Thank you so much for sharing @Captain24 . What a powerful account.

Also @tyme

My great grandfather was one of the first light horsemen in the First World War.

Mums uncle went to the Second World War.

Mums aunt (my godmother) was the longest serving female in the army.

Mums dad went two rounds to Vietnam.

Big military service.

I only remember bits and pieces.

It was a midday service, because the sun was well up.

I remember the parade through the town's main street. One of the guys from school was in it, because he was a boy scout. He looked over at me, smiled and said "Hi", before he quickly reverted to eyes forward.

Then I remember the service at the town's memorial. Big crowd. I climbed up on the wall around it so I could see the ceremony.

There was a friendly little old lady there. I think she helped me up. I remember at one point the service included a song or hymn I didn't recognize, but the little old lady beside me sung along, she clearly knew it.

I was born in 1979

Both my parents and teachers followed on from the anti-war hippy movement. This continued throughout high school

So all of my early memories of AD are of being told how stupid it all is. That veterans don't deserve respect etc

I think that I was in my 30s when I learnt of my own accord to respect veterans etc

Thanks for creating this discussion @0ddsidian, as ANZAC Day is a special memory for me too!

ANZAC Day was always a big day in my family, as I have had a lot of my family members in the ADF through the years. It's different for me now that I live interstate and have not, for many years, spent an ANZAC Day with my father, who was in the Navy. I also live in the city now, so the Dawn Service is a lot bigger than it was in regional NSW and Central Australia.

I remember going to the local showgrounds in regional NSW when I was very young with my family. There is a War Memorial at the main gates, and the Dawn Service is held there with everyone congregating in the streets and footpaths. I remember the early morning and it being cold, and I was so tired, but I recognised the importance of the service.

Dad would always tell us about our relatives and their service history, and his father, who was taken as a POW in the Fall of Singapore in WWII. My grandfather was on the Burma Railway and later died at sea in transport to Japan when his POW ship was sunk by a torpedo from an Allied submarine.

Dad knew so much about war history and would tell us about different wars and battles, and often our relative’s role in them. I remember having a lot of respect even at a young age for the service of my father, grandfather and relatives.

This year will be a challenging year for my family on ANZAC Day, as my dad passed away last year, and we will not share it with him.

Thanks again for creating a discussion for these memories!

Take care

RiverSeal