"Lest We Forget"

While reading the previous entry, my Aussie friend singled out one picture which caught his attention, and I thought it'd be nice to share it, since it highlights how some things which we don't regard as significant actually matter to other people. Below is an excerpt of our msn conversation, with my inputs removed.

"just did a brief scan of the photos on the page and this one struck me
very happy to see this.
imediately recognise it
such an important part of aussie culture
those three words sum up a LOT LOT LOT LOT of aussie culture and history
we take a lot of pride in our armed forces. they always left our shores to defend others.
and always looked out for each other.. we call it "the spirit of mateship"
through some hellish places.
my grandfather endured a nightmare in a japanese pow camp
and quite certain the only reason he lived is cause of the mateship from the other aussies
so we honour our fallen man, the ANZACs
every year we have a national holiday, ANZAC day
quite a big event
and very emotional
and every year, i go to the War Memorial in canberra at 5am
for the dawn service
they bugle "The Last Post" at dawn
always makes me feel so proud, and yet also a bit teary eyed
esp when i think about my time in the army, the mates ive lost and what my grandfather taught me
In northern Msia and Papua nue guinea, we lost a lot lot lot of men fighting the japs. so it holds a special place in our contries psyche
and im really glad to see that it is appreciated and respected there too
okies mate
nite
before i start getting all teary eyed"