Whilst commemorating ANZAC day and the sacrifice made by sucessive generations (and yes war will continue as long as Man [whoops] peoplekind inhabit the earth) is prevented by your atheist views, you clearly miss the point. No one knows better the horrors and futility of war better than a soldier. No one denies that we enjoy the freedom today provided through their sacrifice. Not taking time with those men and women to remember the horror of war, what our forebears went through and a good dash of “let it not happen again” becuase their may be a religious component to the various ceremonies is at best chrulish and shows that you are a very small person. If you feel as strongly as you appear, then instead of taking the holiday why not give something else back to the community instead of leaving your lard arse in bed, gardening and writing about yourself on the computer.

You doubting the existence of god has made a believer out of me.

But it is meaningful for me. I always shed a tear on Anzac day. Why? Because it reminds me of the horrors of War, the needlessness of fighting, the fact that both men and women were willing to “do their part” and “help protect our way of life”. I’ve had rellies die in the war, I know people whose family have died in the Nazi death camps. It’s all so horribly wrong. That’s what Anzac Day should remind us. That’s why it’s so sombre, because it was tragic, and still is tragic that we are STILL fighting wars around the world. I’m not for glorifying war, but if it (Anzac Day) gives meaning to people by marching and feel that their loved ones didn’t die for nothing, then that’s a valuable thing too.
For me, Anzac Day isn’t just about men and soldiers, but for everyone effected by war. And as the old soldiers die out, maybe there will be less glory and more sorrow. I don’t know.

You’re right – people do act as if they want to stone you if you dare question Anzac Day…but then again, I also get that response when I tell people I’m not interested in the AFL.

I wouldn’t be quite so patronising, Deborah, but I’ve got to admit there’s something in my gut that goes thud at the sight. I’d never wear my father’s medals for one simple reason — they are a recognition of his service, not mine. It strikes me as being as vulgar and impertinent as wearing his uniform or regimental tie.

Sadly my view of ANZAC day is probably not that widespread. Certainly the undercurrents you have written eloquently about are quite mainstream these days.

It’s worth noting that there were also Indian and French soldiers at Gallipoli. The French were in powder blue uniforms, which I imagine would have made them pretty easy pickings in that wasted beige hell.

http://gbruno2.blogspot.com/2008/04/anzac-day-armenian-genocide-day-song-of.html