Wednesday, April 25, 2007
ANZAC Commemoration Day
Today, 25 April, is ANZAC Commemoration Day. Today Australians, New Zealanders and Turks remember the start of the invasion of Gallipoli, the subsequent campaign and the resulting 400,000 casualties over an 8 month period. The invasion began on 25 April, 1915 at exactly 0428. The ceremony, which occurs all around the world today at dawn in each time zone, was at the Fort Leavenworth Military Cemetery here in Kansas. The Australian officers stationed at Fort Leavenworth put on the ceremony and it was first class. It was a foggy, rainy morning which echoed the memories of the fallen. I played the bagpipes with two other local pipers. We weren't great, but better than I'd though we'd be. After about a 15 minute prelude by us three pipers, the ceremony began. Flags from all three countries flew at half-staff, speeches and poems were read, and finally, a bugler played Last Post, the ANZAC version of Taps. A very moving ceremony and I was proud to be a part of it! Of course I had to play my bagpipes once I got back to the house at 0630 making sure all the kids were up in the neighborhood!
On that note, I'm starting to pick up the bagpipes again. After playing for only 15 minutes (in my kilt, army uniform top and boots!), my lips were going numb! Time to start practicing again.
Here's a good link with the history of the Commemoration Day:
http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/tff/anzacday.html
On that note, I'm starting to pick up the bagpipes again. After playing for only 15 minutes (in my kilt, army uniform top and boots!), my lips were going numb! Time to start practicing again.
Here's a good link with the history of the Commemoration Day:
http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/tff/anzacday.html
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