US WWII vets in Australia for Anzac Day Six American ex-servicemen have travelled half way across the world to take part in this year's Anzac celebrations. The World War II veterans admit they don't know much about the Anzac legend - but are looking forward to commemorating Australia's special day. Ex-air force pilot Clayton Nattier, 85, said he's heard a lot about the Anzac legend in the lead-up to the five-day visit to Melbourne. "I'm particularly looking forward to observing how Australia observes the day, because this is all new for us," he told AAP. "Before this time, I had heard about it but not in any detail. It's amazing how uninformed we really are." Mr Nattier was 21 and on his 16th mission in Europe when he was shot down over Germany at 29,500 feet in September 1944. He had severe burns and was sent to a prisoner of war camp near the Baltic Sea, where he spent nine months. Ex-infanteer Wilbur "Bill" Brunger, who turns 85 on Anzac Day, said the visit had been much anticipated. "It's been much more than we ever thought it would be. The great feeling the Australian people seem to have for us is amazing," Mr Brunger said. Despite their lack of knowledge about Anzac Day, the men are still looking forward to being part of the parade. "We've been so much in anticipation of this, just anxious to see, just excited," Mr Brunger said. He said people had stopped them in the streets, shaking their hands and thanking them for their efforts. Mr Brunger fought in Belgium during its coldest winter ever, in 1944, and said he now lived every day thankful he's alive. The veterans are in Melbourne to commemorate 160 years of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and its role with the US Army in Word War II. The new hospital building was occupied by the US 4th General Hospital for two years between 1942 and 1944. American medical and nursing staff treated 35,000 US soldiers wounded in the Pacific over that period. The visit is sponsored by US-based The Greatest Generations Foundation (TGGF) which helps ex-servicemen visit Europe and the Pacific. And it wouldn't be right visiting Melbourne without taking in that iconic Victorian experience - watching the footy. On Friday, the contingent will watch the traditional Anzac Day match between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG. Mr Brunger said he's even prepared himself for that experience by watching a footy match on the internet at home.
Here are the graves of 4 of the 5 Abogrines. Australian War Memorial» Blog Archive » Aboriginal Anzacs Homer>> CWGC :: Casualty Details Maynard >> CWGC :: Casualty Details Lucas >> CWGC :: Casualty Details Day >> CWGC :: Casualty Details Notice the dates of death are all different.
Yes it is here at last, the day where Australia and New Zealand remembers the start of both our military heritages. Live long memebers of the anzac's both past and present, and to all those fallen in battle. RIP I will bump this up again, for those who do not know, this is a poem, that was written about the anzacs and this rememebred every anzac day, and in many RSL's (Returned Soldeirs League) they the highlighted section at around 7:00 every night. FOR THE FALLEN With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children England mourns for her dead across the sea, Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow, They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again, They sit no more at familiar tables of home, They have no lot in our labour of the daytime, They sleep beyond England's foam. But where our desires and hopes profound, Felt as a wellspring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the night. As the stars shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain, As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain. Today on Sky news there is the complete full live coverage of the anzac day parades here, before they had a veteran talking about his experinces, I didn't catch much unfornately.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We shall remember them. I'll be checking out the Anzac memorials when we are in Australia in August.
Not WW2 but I do like this photo. Eight ANZAC soldiers wearing sheepskin jackets, and a mixture of slouch hats and steel helmets, resting on their way up to the trenches
Some pics from the Australian courier mail both the Anzac day March in Brisbane and the Dawn service in the morning Anzac Day parades | The Courier-Mail Anzac Day dawn service | The Courier-Mail A tribute to the Anzacs on You Tube YouTube - ANZAC Day 2008 Tribute
Hey Hey, Guys I have some pictures of Anzac day 2008. Australian Army Australian Navy Australian Airforce
View attachment 2033 this is the memorial in the little town i live in the march sadly wos washed out rained like hell View attachment 2034 this is the country very close behind the memorial have some more to come soon best krieg
Only a little memorial huh. oh well I supppose in a little town you only need a little one. Of topic, did you hear about those irish blokes who desicrated and put of the eternal flame a few years ago?
yes he is only a little one right dead center in the middle of town we have about 1200 people here and no i never new anythink about the eternal flame???
OK well from what I remember, a couple of Irish backpackers over on holiiday in brisbane, got drunk and damaged the eternal flame as well as many of the foundatinos that it stands on with drawings, one peed inthe flame and put it out. I remember one of the politians wante dto put the boys up for treason, but due to the fact that they arnt aussie and it is modern australian tey let them off with a lifetime ban from Australia. It was disgusting, allowing them to do that and then let them get away with it. Oh for those who don't know, the eternal flame (which is picture in one of the pics above) is basically just a shrine with a flame in it surrounded by concrete columns, it is surrounded by a small biewing fence but other then that, if you want to get in nothing will stop you. It is situated right across the road from central station (which is obviously the most central station in brisbane and therefore one of the busyist) and lays open to the public.
ANZAC Day. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2495740917317943 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
