So ANZAC Day is a major holiday in Australia -- similar to the American Memorial Day, except with a more specific focus on a particular battle (Gallipoli, which I spelled correctly even before googling!, in Turkey in WWI), as well as all military personnel in general.
I spent the day in Manly and went to the 11 am service (there is a dawn service, but I have a rule about only doing dawn services for Jesus ... Easter and that's it!), which was lots longer and colder than I expected. It lasted about an hour and twenty minutes and was complete with address by the mayor, singing of (actually very Christian) hymns, speeches by a student and a military bigwig of some sort, more singing, special music, a dedication ceremony of two new names of Manly residents who'd died in combat to the cenotaph, more special music, a wreath laying ceremony that consisted of 40 wreaths laid 2 by 2 (a solid 20 minutes in and of itself!) and reveille. It was a nice service, but long and cold.
There was a "parade" leading up to it ... if you want to define the flag, a single marching band about three boy scout troops as a parade. In the city there would have presumably been a much more extensive parade, and other services.
All in all, ANZAC Day is the sort of holiday upstanding citizens celebrate solemnly, and the rest of the lot party hardy as a day off work.
2 comments:
I am glad you are observing the national holidays as an upstanding citizen should. Shows you've been well-trained in being respectful (albeit in America).
It's worth going to a country town Anzac day parade/service. Usually a christian service, with a minster giving a talk. I've heard amazing stories of the one in Glen Innes from the local minister.
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