ANZAC Day will be observed next month. But what I call the festival has already began. ANZAC Day is an important and solemn day of commemoration and reflection for all Australians and New Zealanders. Various cities, towns and villages across both countries will hold the traditional Dawn Service and ANZAC March. Numbers have swelled in recent years.

I marched in Sydney’s ANZAC Parade in 1999, where I as drum major led my school’s marching band. It was one of the few times a public school had the privilege to take part in the march. My friends and I have attended various services and marches throughout the years.

In London where ANZAC Day is not widely known by the British public, I attended the ANZAC service at Westminster Abbey along with the march down Whitehall and the Dawn Service at Hyde Park Corner. Later I met some Australian Army Officers and spent the day playing two-up in some of London’s finer drinking establishments.

We should remember, ANZAC Day is not a day to celebrate victory, as it was a defeat in which we commemorate. It is not a day of boastfulness but a day of reflection and of gratitude. To the sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women of all wars.

I call it a festival as I have observed that over the past few years people have forgotten the real meaning of ANZAC. They show a lack of respect to the day. None more so than the hordes of Aussie and Kiwi backpackers who descend onto Gallipoli. Wearing the flag as a cape, drinking and discarding rubbish around the graves and sacred sites. Most go on package tours, claiming it to be a pilgrimage or just to ‘tick it off their list’. Many shout the bogan war cry of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie and the Pavlovian response of Oi, Oi, Oi could be heard among the masses. This is no pilgrimage, but a party. A festival.

Back on the home front. The debate on whether descendants should march has began. Again. Over the years. I have seem people march in the parade, wearing tatty jeans, t-shirts with slogans, trainers and pushing prams. And while I believe they try to reflect and find solace on the occasion, for some it is just a fun day out. This is wrong.

I believe that if descendants want to march and have their loved one represented then there should be a special section in the parade for the descendants only. If the veteran is alive, they are welcome to march with grandchildren, as long as the child is dressed appropriately. In their Sunday best. The rest of the family can see the parade from the sidelines. I am sorry but prams and strollers have no part in a parade such as this. It is not a family fun day out. There should be a dress code, and it is just common sense on what to and what not to wear.

I also shudder when the ANZAC Test is being promoted or commentated that they compare the sportsmen to the soldiers and officers. One was a bloody battle in a war and the other is a game. Enough said.

This surge of interest in ANZAC Day, is a condition of people trying to tap into the history and myths of Australia without understanding or acknowledging its significance or meaning. A bit like running off to get a southern cross tattoo, but never bothering to enlist in the armed forces. Serving your country is true patriotism. Getting a tattoo is not.

I am looking forward to ANZAC Day this year. I only hope our forebears’ sacrifices were not in vain. Lest We Forget.

UPDATE: 10 April 2010

Just came across this article ‘a dig at the diggers‘. The article mentions a book Whats Wrong with ANZAC?, which alludes to the ‘militarisation of Australian history.’ Interesting points.

Photo: ANZAC Day in London. Australian Memorial in Hyde Park Corner.