12 November 2008

Armistice Day 2008

| johnboy
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[First filed: November 11, 2008 @ 12:32]

As the 90th anniversary of the end of most of the fighting in the first World War, today was always going to be a big day.

That the entire military and political leadership of the country (absent the GG sent to France for the day) camped out in the open on the steps of the War Memorial was certainly a testament to that. (Perhaps it also spoke volumes about the relaxed state of security, something to bear in mind next time panic merchants come for our civil liberties.)

It was a perfect Canberra spring day with cool air, gentle breezes, and blazing sunlight.

Kevin Rudd gave quite a good speech (will link when it’s published) and Jon Stanhope was there to lay a wreathe as well.

The only thing spoiling the perfect scene were the milling media and the recess bell from Campbell High.

Slideshow below:

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I regularly go to Ypres and Passchendale. The last post at 8pm at the Menin Gate is one of the World’s most emotional ceremonies. You’re surrounded by the names of 58,000 troops whose bodies were never found. As I type, they’re playing the last post, as they do every night of the year.

I believe we call it “Remembrance Day”.

Holden Caulfield2:14 pm 11 Nov 08

Think he had to drop in so Therese could wash his clothes.

[/mindless banter]

Respect and thanks to the Diggers who went before us.

I’ve been having a stressful time of it at work the last few days, but, of course, I haven’t really, and am thankful that I wouldn’t know what a tough day really was.

Keith Miller summed it perfectly when returning to the Australian Cricket team after WWII.

nice to see the rudd-sterr in town. I expected him to be in tibet or kenya, but not in canberra.

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