Why were we in Gallipoli?

Brits told us to go... something about a beach barbie.

I know some people like to go to Gallipoli, and for some its a rite-of-passage, but I think a cruise there is a bit off. (but hey, I am opinionated!)

A cruise where "Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available 24/7 and breakfast will follow the service" is not really respecting the memory of the soldiers that went there and faced an impossible task. There were no 24x7 coffee, tea, and biscuits for them.

Maybe, if its only for servicemen, that otherwise can't get there, but a luxury cruise would somehow seem wrong.

I think Anzac day is a good time to remember how crazy war can be, how destructive it can be, and how so many suffered. Also a good time to show respect to those that suffered for it.

I wince when I hear others say they made it there to play two-up and get plastered, as if it is an accomplishment.

Mark _australia said...
(BTW adolph, it is a 'wireless')

(BTW Mark, it is Adolf)

elbeau said...
What I would love to see (and it would prove we had really matured as a nation) is a squad of pacifists that had refused to go to war because of their beliefs, marching in the ANZAC Day parade. It takes courage to stand against the tide of popular opinion.

Elbau, in my opinion, I think that would be mixing up two things.

I don't see Anzac day as promoting war, or justifying the move to war. I see it as respecting those that did, for whatever reason, for suffering a loss. A reminder of how bad it can be.

Standing against popular opinion is one thing, but not the same thing. Did a pacifist really suffer that much in comparison?