ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I hadn't given it a lot of thought until someone suggested I write a poem about the upcoming Anzac Centenary, and I realised if I did pen a poem on the topic it would not be what most people expected.

While I agree the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings are deserving of that special place in our national make-up, and commemoration is important, I can't help but feel more than a little bit uneasy about the hoopla that is ramping up (has done for some time) and will go into overdrive from this year right through to 2018. I think much of it is crass commercial coverage of something which should involve silent and solemn introspection. I'd go as far as saying that I reckon many of those fallen Anzac's primary emotion on how this has unfolded would be embarrassment, or even anger that such a chapter as Gallipoli has been elevated to such an unimpeachable realm, whilst we've never truly learnt from those past "wars to end all wars".

What do ya reckon?

As someone who has never served I (rightly) do not feel justified in opinionating myself loudly on this matter, as I obviously understand this to be a very special and poignant time for the many veterans and families of those who've served and lost loved ones, but I've just finished reading a book which echoes many of my thoughts, and delves much deeper into the issue More importantly it is written by a former ADF Officer, James Brown who commanded a cavalry troop in Sth Iraq and worked with Special Forces in Afghanistan. The book is called Anzac's Long Shadow and is an incredibly enlightening read.

Marty

You make a very valid point, Marty. Some of what is planned will undoubtedly be little more than commercial exploitation of what was a major military disaster, but the difficulty lies in balancing due respect with the public spectacle that many in the population will demand. My father fought in New Guinea in World War 2, but never marched on Anzac Day. Yet quite a few of his mates did. It has always been so. Some want to pay tribute by celebrating and reminiscing, others prefer solitude and silence. And the centenary will simply repeat this diverse scenario many times over, but on a grander scale.

I can't help wondering what those from the Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts whose lives have been shattered by physical injury or PTSD will think as they face several years of reminders of the sort of events that destroyed them.

Write your poem. Not everyone will agree with it, but that's beside the point. You'll be far from alone.

David

David Campbell wrote:
I can't help wondering what those from the Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts whose lives have been shattered by physical injury or PTSD will think as they face several years of reminders of the sort of events that destroyed them.

David

Yes, David that is the crux of the book - the vast amounts of resources and money being invested by debt struck Governments, and the corporate world, all falling over each other to ensure we have saturated commemoration for the fallen, compared to a pittance to be found for the influx of surviving veterans returning from Afghanistan, and other modern wars.

This is a very touchie subject Marty and even those who frown upon the glorification of conflict can get pretty emotional when anyone infers that we should not acknowledge the contribution our armed forces have made both in the past and more recent conflicts.

Yes perhaps some of the commemorations may be over the top and perhaps the money could be better spent helping those who most need it but is that not the way society tends to go in most cases.

I myself frown upon the millions of dollars spent on things like fireworks for new years ect but the government is between a rock and a hard place and the general public in most cases demand this type of celebration ( If you can call it that )

Good luck Mate

Bob

A brief thought on the addiction we can’t escape.

The people die,
but war survives,
and we ask why
so many lives
must be destroyed,
a sacrifice
we can’t avoid…
our fatal vice.

David © 07/03/14

Crosses - Bloody Crosses
(November 2006)

Markers, white, in far flung fields -
anger's harvest lined in rows;
depict the effort to hold peace
as Precious, shattered I suppose.

Flowers of white declaring wrath
of wanton bullies on World's stage -
a bigger sandbox for their play.
Yields them scorn in history's page.

Sometimes we learn from past mistakes
but all too quick the battle-cry
is "Crush the foe, forget concord!"
… I watch the crosses multiply …
---

I must admit it does look like the looming Anzac centenary and commemoration of the First World War
will turn out to be a completely over the top and commercialised series of events. In Sydney Anzac Day is bordering on becoming a day of festivities instead of being a day of solemn and serious contemplation. Most people have forgotten that the original Anzac Day Procession (that is how I remember it being referred to when I was a child) was merely an orderly way of returned men being able to access the cenotaph in Martin Place to pay their respects to fallen comrades. Now the emphasis is on the march itself and not the silent tribute those who survived pay to their old comrades as they march past the cenotaph:
WHEN THE BANDS ALL CEASE TO PLAY.

Have you ever seen the veterans
parading through the street,
have you ever heard the rhythm
of their weary marching feet?

Have you ever heard the jingle
of the medals on their chest,
when the bands all cease to play
and the pipers takes their rest?

Have you stood and watched them
as down Martin Place they come,
slowly marching to the beat
of a lonely muffled drum?

Have you ever wondered why
the flags are at half staff,
have you ever seen their faces
as they pass the cenotaph?

Have you ever caught a glimpse
of the mist that fills their eyes
as they think about old friends
no longer by their sides?

Then have you seen them raise their heads
and march as in years gone by -
when the bands commence to play again
and the pipes their glory cry?

Here is the spirit of the Anzac
and on this hallowed day
their friends come back to join them,
but in a special sort of way;

Because for every one you see,
marching down the street,
there’s a thousand there beside them -
but they march on silent feet.

For friendships forged in battle
are of the rarest kind,
they extend beyond the grave
and withstand the tyranny of time.

So if you listen with your heart
come next Anzac Day
perhaps you'll understand
why they are marching on parade:

It is for that sacred moment -
that moment in the day -
when the pipers take their rest,
and the bands all cease to play.


Vic Jefferies (© 2000)

Thank you Vic that is as it should be a silent tribute to our past armed forces

BILL WILLIAMS

Let silent contemplation be your offering.

Let silent contemplation be your offering.

and many head nods, Marty. Fully in agreement mate.

Neil