Three wolves™

Wandered along to the dawn parade this morning. Got there a little early (4:50) to just a few people milling around. The TV crews hadn’t even turned up yet, so you could say I was slightly over-keen, but we got in a good position to see the morning unfold anyway, so being early was a good thing - well, untill the mayor and a few MP’s thought our possie looked inviting and decided to stand infront of us!

The whole ceremony was just as you’d expect it to be: solemn, respectful, and a great tribute of remembrance to the soldiers that gave their lives in the service of the ANZAC. There was a good deal mentioned about the Vietnam conflict too, which was great to hear as it’s traditionally been a very sour topic at ANZAC services. Not too much in the way of controversy this year - although i’m told someone shouted out something about the war in Iraq, to which I would say: there’s a time and place.

People again made note this year of the numbers of young people attending the services, and one of the speakers highlighted their appreciation towards the New Zealand youth that had come out to support ANZAC day. I’d count myself as one of the ‘young people’ they talk of, and with this being my second dawn service in as many years, i’m happy to say that if i’m still here, I’ll be going back next year to support the ANZACs again. I think that this is something that we as young New Zealanders need to do. It gives us an appreciation for what our fellow Kiwis did for us all those years ago.

One quote I took from the service was: “They sacrificed their tomorrow for our today”, and for me as a Christian, the service reminds me not only of the great sacrifices of our servicemen, but of the one who ultimately sacrificed His life for ours so that WE could have life. It was hard to avoid the very Christian message in the service: of Love and self-sacrifice, not only in the words spoken but in the hymns we sang, and in the prayers that were read. Long may the ANZAC tradition continue.