Local ANZAC Dawn Service

[Stix]

So...i usually go to my local dawn service...as i did this morning...alarm screeching at 5...pants...kettle...pee...top...shoes...beanie, hoodie & jacket & gone...!!

Now im no history buff...but, I thought the reason the ANZAC service is held at dawn was to commemorate a specific time, & to attend at such an 'inconvenient time' was the least we could do to show respect for what those before us sacrificed.

So, the last few years ive noticed an increased attendance at the service, as is publicised each year...but ive also noticed it getting later & later...so much so, that with this mornings service, the last post was played somewhere heading towards 7am...and not anywhere near 5.30-6am.

It seems everyone needs to have their moment in the spotlight...like its a competition for who delivers the best speech...school kids have to have a say...as does a local copper...a priest...them...& them......etc etc...
And I did notice what appeared to be a few 'officially dressed' (in some kind of uniforms) people arriving what i considered to be very late...6.15 am or later...!!
This included a lady in a police uniform carrying either a big platter or wreath, one or 2 school kids dressed as if they were in the small parade arriving late, & a drummer for marching band arriving around 6.15 am just before proceedings commenced.

Only a few years ago if i arrived at 6.15am it would all be well & truly over with the cafe's full, plenty of parks & a ruccas noise coming from the RSL , but this year it was all only JUST getting under way... . ..!!

Now i dont begrudge anyone paying respect or being involved, & i believe its important to have an understanding of the attrocities of our history...but i wonder if the ANZAC dawn service is going to eventually be lost through being over commercialised...
And the true point of the last post playing at first light, immediately followed by an eery minutes silence, followed by some more of the bugle...will this/is this being lost due to everyone feeling the need to compete for microphone time...?

Today, I felt what i can only describe as a disconnect--or less connected compared to what ive felt in the past...i think due to what ive mentioned here with regard to the commercial type competing goings on....

What are your thoughts &/or observations...?
Am i just becoming a grumpy old so & so set in my ways...?...or am i right in thinking the last post should be played at first light & to hell with people who want microphone time & cant get out of bed early..or early enough.

(only just read it through so ive made it a bit shorter...

[Chappo]

Old yeah, set in your ways, probably, grumpy, maybe.
There will always be those that take advantage of a national spotlight to push their own agendas even if only for notoriety.
We all use this day for different reasons I suppose. And we reflect in different ways. For most it’s a time to give thanks to those who saw a chance to defend our country and make it a better place even though they knew they may never see it again.

Most of us have a family connection to one of the wars and have a deeper understanding through a personal connection so perhaps the people “using” Anzac Day for personal gain don’t. And find it hard to fully understand its significance.

This year I researched a man who served in WW2 and submitted an article to the local rag.
I was not looking for notoriety, I thought if I could bring that personal connection and focus on one mans experience then it would be more relatable.
Sometimes I think we need to hear about things in detail to be able to feel thankful rather than just be told to be thankful.

[bigfellascott]

I went to my local service today, was a good turn out and plenty of people and was warmer than last year (shorts, T-shirt, thongs and a hoodie) it was only 5deg so no need for anything warmer this year, last year I wore a beanie.

[Bent Arrow]

Unfortunately I think your right Stix. Even though the service I went to this morning started at 5:45, there was a lot of unnecessary fluff which honestly seemed to be much more about giving a couple of groups of vaguely talented singers a chance to play 4 songs, than about remembering the sacrifices of our service men and women. The service wasn't as moving as they normally are for me, and both my wife's family and mine have family that that served at Gallipoli so the dawn services mean a lot to us

[gunnnie]

Not surprising guys. Too many individuals tasked with running such services, focus on their own perceptions or ego.
Our local dawn service starts at 0425 every year & runs like clockwork in typical military fassion. Helps that the MC is a retired RSM!

Unfortunately, with the types you guys are seeing, bringing this to their attention, or taking them to task over it, only results in bluff & bluster. How dare someone question their authority in suvh a matter, type of response.

[Jon79]

The dawn service here had an ice head nutta hurling abuse as they read out the names of those who had passed this year.... luckily for him the police grabbed him and his dog and dragged him off

[Member-Deleted]

Ours is run by returned servicemen to all goes like clock work so far for every year

[mickb]

Im ex army, I agree a little too much waffle these days. Growing up I liked the old services, dark as hell, everyone quiet, any speeches short and respectful.