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It's a bit controversional because of some comites / groups that are just a bit on the nationalist / right wing / phobic side but tomorrow, April 25th, is ANZAC day.2020.
It's a day I try to keep in mind each year.
The war from 14-18 also known as World War 1 or the War to end all wars wasn't just a 'thing' for Europe. Gallipoli is one of the most infamous especially in the ANZAC coutries. But soldiers of all over the commonwealth, the colonies served in 'Flanders' fields. Almost every skin collor know to man served 'next' to each other down in those trenches.
To them and those that served or ar still serving be it soldier, police(wo)man, doctor, nurse,.. And the list goes on. Thank you.
Lynne
Less we forget
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Like No Other
ANZAC Day 2020 in Australia and New Zealand will be different to all those in the past. This year there will be no parades or marches. The Coronavirus has fixed that. Social distancing is the rule tomorrow. People will show their respects by standing at their front doors or at the footpaths outside their houses or on their balconies if they live in apartments. 6 a.m. is the hour for remembering.
Here is some music to remember by: https://youtu.be/1gmgwx77osw
A different war but just as vicious. Remember but don't glorify it.
Not that many people
Not that many people know (at least not outside Australia) but Australian Forces also served in Vietnam during the Vietnam war although I don't know the extend of it beyond the AATTV. ( Vietnam War 1962–75) so that song isn't that far off. A few other countries where there also ( The newly South Korea and Japan to name 2).
War is never 'good' for certain value of good but to say it with Orwell's words
Vietnam War
The Philippines also sent a small force (a little over 2000 troops) to aid South Vietnam.
True Situation
All the people "in-country" knew. But given the treatment of the returning US forces by the "citizens" of the US, Vietnam quickly became a topic that just wasn't talked about. So the honor that would have normally been given to our allies quickly became buried.
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
Vietnam
I have two stories that deal with being transgender while serving as ANZAC.
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/47463/memories-our-youth
- a grandmother remembers her own service before transition at Nui Dat and recalls the expectations her father placed upon her/him owing to the hurt the whole family endured because her own grandfather never healed after Gallipoli.
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/61941/call-midwife-re...
- an Aussie nurse in 60s England ends up at Wu Tang during the Tet Offensive after surviving internment in a camp in Singapore as a child by the Japanese during WWII.
Love, Andrea Lena
ANZACS in Vietnam
About 60,000 Australians and New Zealanders served in Vietnam (50,000 Aussies 10,000 Kiwis). 15000 were conscripts.
It was not a popular war at home in either country, but returning soldiers were not subjected to the kind of abuse that many Americans received.