Remembrance

Today was Anzac Day. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on April 25th every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during WWI and also to commemorate the soldiers who fought in France and Belgium. It's basically the Aussie version of Veterans Day.

Anzac Day is pretty impressive. Aussies are fairly patriotic, in their own way, but on Anzac Day, they really pull out all the stops. It's so wonderful to see the way they honor those who have served in the armed forces. Makes you realise how little thanking is done on a daily basis.

Still totally entrenched in the office move, I had to work for a few hours this morning, so we missed the parade. But we went last year and I loved it. People came by the tens of thousands to stand and applaud the hundreds of veterans and active duty military personnel who walked the parade route. It was amazing. We took lots of photos, but the one above is my favourite. (Never mind that I was given a dirty look for photographing some strangers kid.) It was a small boy sitting on his dad's shoulders, holding a rosemary sprig and a flag, watching the soldiers walk by. I don't think I'll ever forget that day.

Just wanted to take a moment to thank all our veterans and active duty personnel today. We should be thanking you far more often.