25 April Anzac Day Sydney

The 102 Coral Battery. See Denny? Geoff is in red tie.

Wow, what a day.  Up early to light rain and a walk down nearer the harbor, crossing the  ANZAC Day parade.   Early marchers were naval vets, and the slimming numbers of WWII and Korean war vets from Australia.  We found the 102 battery Coral vets, some 40 or so who lived in or had come to Sydney rather than observe this day in their own city.  Keep in mind that ANZAC Day in Australia and NZ are important, as in they take this very seriously.  These are nations very aware of their tenuous global position, and rich history of jumping in when their allies call (Gallipoli, WW I and II, Korea, Vietnam and the current conflicts).  It is a point of pride that they go shoulder to shoulder with allies...period. 

So, I had been been invited to join my compatriots of the battles in May 1968, probably the first American who had been a part of this.  Heady stuff for me, even though I’ve always felt that the Aussies and Kiwis did the real heavy lifting that month of battle in 1968, with America’s role a bit more modest, and less risky unless a stray mortar or rocket fell badly.  So, all in sport coats, Aussies with their medals, we of the 102 Battery walked through the heart of Sydney, with many other units, honor guards, bag pipers, drum corps...many added inducements to get guys in their sixties marching with some sort of common cadence.  Big crowds, Boston Marathon type crowds, and lots of smiles (note: reinforcing me in spite of the continual critique I was getting on my marching from those back in my file, ‘The bloody Yank can’t keep in step, he’s throwing us off’... etc...all in good fun). We marched/shambled for an hour  and a half or so.  Then we fell out, like horses to water for stop one on about 8 plus hours of pub crawling.  Beer and champagne flowed and rain... it poured a good part of the afternoon.  I was able to meet almost everyone in attendance, and set to rest all sort of faulty memories (humorously disparaging) about the past. One of the values to me was hearing details on a lot of anecdotal events that, over the 43 years, had always puzzled me.   Mimi was buzzing about taking lots of pictures, and meeting some of the vets and their spouses.  Back to hotel nine hours later. Wonderful conversations all around. 

Fifty year get together celebration in eight yrs. in NZ.....

Hmmmm.....

Pre-marching orders

Well-known anchorman interviewing
ugly paramedic

All served with Denny in the 102 Battery

Man with WWI light relic,
getting anchor's attention

Man on left walked off parade line-up, felt unwell...
ended up fine.

What is it about bagpipes?

There they are!

First of many rounds

Fellow vet

Some of the wives

Three more.. Mel on left whose story of being shot six times by both sides - and dropped repeatedly while on stretcher - is still a source of battle lore.

Denny had such an amazing time. He talked
non-stop all day!!!

Rick and his wife Jenny (pink scarf) wonderful fun.. Lady on right and family
finally recovered her brother's body two yrs. ago. Forty-three yrs. ago he was being picked up by helicopter in extreme combat and fell off the drop rope. It was not until three yrs. ago that the family
found out what became of him.

Walking to Cruise Bar in Sydney Harbour, going through
the QVB (Queen Victoria Building) behind statue

The rain really sets in as the pipers go home
(or more likely to the pub!)

Lonnnnnggggg line outside Apple... What
came out today?

Glad we did the bridge walk Friday!

Very historic area in Sydney Harbour
full of restaurants, shops,
theatres, beautiful little houses...

The Cruise Bar

Beautiful bar

Finally some food!

Geoff and good friend

Like Grandpa, like grandson?!!