We arrived at ANZAC Cove at a reasonable hour and there was still space for us so we made our way up into the stand to watch the proceedings from there. One thing we should have realised is the higher up you got the more exposed to the wind you were that was going around the stands. It wasn’t too bad but you certainly did notice it if you didn’t cover up.
There were some screens up so around the place and they showed bits and pieces ever half hour or so about the campaign from the points of view of both sides. It was certainly an emotional sort of thing when they started to list names of those that had died so young. Surprisingly though there were many older soldiers too. I always thought is was more a younger persons war but not according to the head stones around the place.
After the Dawn service in ANZAC Cove, we made our way up to Lone Pine Cemetary passing by other smaller Cemetaries such as Sharpnel Cemetary.
The Lone Pine Service is for the Australian Troops that fell at Gallipoli. Before the service got under way, a presentation was made to some current soldiers. Not sure what it was for as they didn’t really say to much about it at the time. It could also have been due to me sort of nodding off from time to time too.
Not sure if it was a bit of a setup but the MC was telling a story (can’t remember his name but he is a cartoonist) about how he went to France to commerate D-Day and was walking down a street covered in fog early in the morning – no one else around – and this figure appeared in the mist to which he said Bonjour. A reply came back in Australian tones … ‘Yeah g’day, do you now where the US Cemetary is?’ The MC then asked where this guy was from and he was from Sydney and then they narrowed it down to the suburb and the street which was exactly the same as each other. Someone in the audience then indicated that it was him that the MC had bumped into the night in France.
Anyway … the ceremony was then underway and the armed services took their place around the Memorial. One of them was replaced during the ceremony as she was standing differently to the rest. Not sure if that is why she was replaced but it was an interesting moment. I am sure the officer in charge was a wee bit pissed as he was told to replace by his boss who came out on parade to tell him about it. Wonder whos boots she is cleaning …. But it must be said she wasn’t the only one to stuff up. One of the sailors when going off almost fell when completing a turn. He too will be cleaning boots me thinks.
It was a very long day but something that I think is very worthwhile doing. And of course … people did have fun after the serious bit was finished too ….
Posted by telfie 
