Anybody Else Sick of the ANZAC Day Hype?

[veggiepatch1959]

I know, I'm over it.

Over the past few days, radio and TV have just been wall to wall ANZAC stories, memories, et al.

If anything else happened in Australia or overseas, we wouldn't know about it.

"Just a short break from our ANZAC coverage....Tel Aviv in Israel has been hit by what is believed to be a 15 megaton nuclear device, potentially killing over 2 million people. The source of the strike is unknown but it has been reported that Russia has mobilised its entire western military force and the US Navy presence in the Mediterranean Sea have been put on the highest alert since the Cuban Missile Crisis."

"Meanwhile...in Melbourne, ANZAC celebrations have been hampered by cold weather and relentless rain. Back to our ANZAC coverage."

I wonder if the Japanese would have such a remembrance in August 2045 for those who perished in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

War sucks and so does its glorification.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

It is a bit much. But what do you expect? This is the world today.

And I don't think anyone really sees it as glorifying war.

Another day or two and the centenary will be over and some other fad, bandwagon or drama will take over. They're going to shoot those druggies in a few days so that will be the next thing.

 

[Mr Angry]

No.

Not at all.

We are who we are due to our forefathers.

Lest we forget.

 

[veggiepatch1959]

No.

Not at all.

We are who we are due to our forefathers.

Lest we forget.

Point taken Angry, but don't you think the whole thing has been commercialised?

As I type, there's a bunch of who knows who in Perth playing f**king bagpipes at the Dawn Service. Since when were the Scottish a part of the ANZACS?

 

[veggiepatch1959]

I'd prefer to remember our fallen forefathers with memories and reflections, rather than a bunch of money hungry organisations preying on our sorrows.

 

[Twizzle]

Media saturation really has been over the top and a spoilt ANZAC Day for mine.

 

[Mr Angry]

Yes there is commerce in it.

Much to good causes.

Commerce is just one thing they gave us.

They gave us so much more.

I am more than happy to celebrate in many ways.

 

[Mr Angry]

Does Grand Final deserve more hype?

Super bowl?

World Cup Final in any sport?

Today you respect the men and women who fought for what have today.

For me it is a good day.

Reminds me of my love for kiwis.

 

[veggiepatch1959]

Media saturation really has been over the top and a spoilt ANZAC Day for mine.

My sentiments exactly. Well said.

 

[veggiepatch1959]

Does Grand Final deserve more hype?

Super bowl?

World Cup Final in any sport?

Today you respect the men and women who fought for what have today.

For me it is a good day.

Reminds me of my love for kiwis.

I totally agree with you Angry BUT who gives a flying f**k about the Super Bowl, except for Wank Yanks.

To be honest, I'd prefer to watch people playing SCOTTISH bagpipes at an ANZAC dawn service than Super Bore.

 

[The Partisan]

A few points.

It is the centenary year - so more media than the norm this year. Will be considerably less next year.

It is not a glorification of war - it is a commemoration of war service and sacrifice.


This time twenty years ago it was nightly viewing on the news that Rugby League was being torn apart by media moguls. Can distinctly recall people talking about the over the top reporting of this non worldly event.

Come Origin time it will be wall to wall media about an event that really only interests sports followers of two states - or those originally from those two states.

Finally, as a great nephew of two who made the ultimate sacrifice in WW1 and has had the chance to visit their overseas grave - ANZAC day can be as big as it likes as long as it remains a community -and not commercial - opportunity for remembrance and respect.

 

[Twizzle]

I even heard some of the old diggers say its like a rock and roll concert and has been too commercialised and shows disrespect as its about cashing in rather than a solemn ceremony.

I think thats a bit over the top but I do agree to an extent.

The media really have spoilt a good day for mine, and there is just far too much Gallipoli, its like its Gallipoli day and not Anzac Day, they seem to have forgotten Afghanistan, Vietnam and Iraq.

 

[soc123_au]

Bagpipes have been a part of the Australian Military since day one. There is something inspiring about marching with the pipes & drums. It makes you feel bullet proof.

In saying that the commercialization of it sickens me. I get the shits at Dawn services during the wreath laying. No problem with the RSL, various sub branches, legacy etc, but when they start calling up local businesses & the like I want to scream. That is not what it should be about. Lay your wreath, but do it privately.

Last year I had the local rag ring me asking I wanted to have a business card size add in their Anzac spread. I told them I was disgusted that they were using such a solemn occasion to make money & that I would be less likely to support any local business that used it to advertise. Once I made my point the lady that called agreed & they pulled all the adverts from the spread. Credit to them for that.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

On the flip side Anzac Day is getting bigger and bigger every year and so it should.

Gallipoli obviously gets a lot of attention as it was the birth of the ANZAC legend.

It's great seeing hundreds of thousands of Aussies across the country line the streets for the marches and attending local services.

I love the day, one of the best days of the year.

 

[Parra]

On the flip side Anzac Day is getting bigger and bigger every year and so it should.

Why?

It is a day of remembrance for those who died in war.

Surely the measure of success for humankind is having no living memory of war at all. That dying in battle is a distant memory that fades into folklore.

The hijacking of remembrance should not be applauded or celebrated.

The expansion of the day to mean other things as well cheapens the sacrifice that was made.

 

[God-King Dean]

On the flip side Anzac Day is getting bigger and bigger every year and so it should.

Gallipoli obviously gets a lot of attention as it was the birth of the ANZAC legend.

It's great seeing hundreds of thousands of Aussies across the country line the streets for the marches and attending local services.

I love the day, one of the best days of the year.

Same. Perhaps more than Xmas.

It's supposed to be a sombre day, & it is. But it's always a great day to drink with mates.

Some might say that's missing the point of the day. But the whole point of the ANZACs is to have a the freedom to do these things. Plus it's something that is unique to this nation.

I get what veggiepatch is saying. I hate it when TV tries to shove things down our throats. But it's to be expected.

 

[Skinner]

On the flip side Anzac Day is getting bigger and bigger every year and so it should.

Gallipoli obviously gets a lot of attention as it was the birth of the ANZAC legend.

It's great seeing hundreds of thousands of Aussies across the country line the streets for the marches and attending local services.

I love the day, one of the best days of the year.

Absolutely concur CH

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Why?

It is a day of remembrance for those who died in war.

Surely the measure of success for humankind is having no living memory of war at all. That dying in battle is a distant memory that fades into folklore.

The hijacking of remembrance should not be applauded or celebrated.

The expansion of the day to mean other things as well cheapens the sacrifice that was made.

Well I would rather see the day get bigger than for it to fade away into nothing, the bigger the day the more
Recognition all our defence force personnel get.. That's just my opinion though. If you want the day to just fade away into the either that's fine.

To just forget these wars ever happened is forgetting a major part of the history of this country..

I don't know how the day has expanded to mean other things either?

 

[Parra]

Other than remembrance?

You mention one yourself - recognition for all defence force personnel. Anzac Day has never represented that.

Remembrance is for those who died. Expanded to those who served - active duty. Why expand that to anyone in a uniform?

I don't want Anzac Day fade anywhere and it will not. I would like dying in battle to be nothing other than a distant memory that fades into folklore. That is not going to happen in my lifetime.

 

[Mr Angry]

My view is it is to remember that people fought and died so we can have who we are today.

A democratic, free speech, open trade, non communist society.

Three countries found there feet 100 years ago, The ANZACs and the Turks.

I care not if some make some coin celebrating this.

I just hope we never forget.