Reveille under a mango tree in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
A gathering under a mango tree...
This morning, at 6:30am, we convened at RMIT University
in Ho Chi Minh City, under a mango tree in full fruit,
to attend an Anzac Day remembrance service
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance
in Australia and New Zealand, marking the anniversary
of the first major military action fought by
Australian and New Zealand forces
during the First World War.
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Around the globe...
On this day, Australians and New Zealanders
around the globe, remember and say a prayer
for those soldiers who died defending their country.
Bound to serve...
This day resonates with us as well, our son, Patrick,
is a Lieutenant in the Australian Army Corps.
is a Lieutenant in the Australian Army Corps.
A mother and father could not be prouder.
As you can see from the photo below,
his little brother, Connor, feels the same way.
More on Patrick's story here.
Unfortuantley, we could not be with Patrick today.
We are in Ho Chi Minh City and he is in Melbourne, Australia.
His lovely girlfriend, Cherie, who is equally proud of him,
sent these photos today..
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| Patrick leading the march in a local town service. |
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| Patrick in uniform..just love the hat! He gifted one to me when he gradutated from Duntroon. |
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| A selfie..Cherie and Patrick. So sweet! |
When the tears flow...
I am one of those people who wells up in tears
at the drop of a hat. My family is always at the ready,
at the drop of a hat. My family is always at the ready,
for when Mom shows the first signs of blubbering.
It doesn't take much, I am a softy at heart.
I have a soft spot for national anthems.
Throw them all in there, America, Australia,
New Zealand, England and even Vietnam
(I am still working on that one).
New Zealand, England and even Vietnam
(I am still working on that one).
They remind me of our time living in each county,
the school assemblies, sport games and national celebrations.
When we start to sing, my heart skips a beat,
the tears well, my voice croaks..
the tears well, my voice croaks..
if you are like me, you know the drill.
The Bugler calls...
This morning was a bundle of emotions
as the bugler belted out..
a song to symbolise that
the duty of the dead is over
and they can rest in peace.
followed by
One Minute Silence
and then the
to break the silence that follows
the playing of the Last Post
By this point I was welling up...and then
We sang two anthems...
Advance Australia Fair
God Defend New Zealand
If they had sung the New Zealand anthem
in the Maori language as well,
which they traditionally do in New Zealand,
I would have slipped right off my chair.
If you are not familiar with the Australian and New Zealand national
anthems, please click on the links below. For you softies, like me,
grab the tissues...
grab the tissues...
Advance Australia Fair
God Defend New Zealand (Maori and English)
Lest we forget...
If you would like to know more about the
Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces,
you can follow the links below.
New Zealand Defense Force
With a tissue in my hand,
I wish you a wonderful weekend.
Grab those you love and give them a hug!
Jeanne xx
With a tissue in my hand,
I wish you a wonderful weekend.
Grab those you love and give them a hug!
Jeanne xx
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Prayers
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting the videos. The Australian and New Zealand National Anthems are beautiful.
A hand towel instead of tissues for this softie.
I know the feeling Maywyn...a hand towel is far more sensible. ;)
DeleteA very emotional and moving day for you and your family. Sadly you could not be with your son at this celebration. How nice to have the pictures sent from home, precious to keep. No doubt lots of expats and visitors to keep you company and share the day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eleni, I appreciate your comment, thanks so much for stopping by. ;)
DeleteGuess what ?I too am a SOFTY!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou must be so proud of HIM.Gorgeous young man too!
Now, when you go to visit I have a dear dear friend who lives in MELBOURNE.You must make time for her!She gives massages for a living in her home which has a bunny skirting around the house and hopefully soon a puppy!As she lost her LOTTIE a few months back of 13 years.her Lottie and I were born in the same small town due EAST of SAN FRANCISCO!I call my friend or I should say I re~named her JANE AUDREY as she is another AUDREY HEPBURN in our lifetime!!!Please let me know when you will be traveling to see your SON as i will give you her info.OKEY~DOKEY as they say down there!XOXOXOX
I will be certain to let you know Elizabeth, how could I pass up such a wonderful offer!! xx
DeleteDear Jeanne....Thank you for this post! I listened to both national anthems and yes, a sister tear shedder I am. Went on to listen to the Norwegian national anthem taught to me by my grandparents...more tears..then the French, learned in years of French language classes, and there is, indeed, something deep within that connects to these tunes and words sung by the people who live in and love there land, and by those who are living elsewhere on earth who feel that close tie to their homeland or place where they have lived as the music and words fills them through and through....Thank you...my day is full of music, words and sweet connections. Kristin
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear that the national anthems took you down a special path Kristin...music, words and sweet connections. I love it! xx
Delete"We remembered...
ReplyDeleteAnzac Day is a national day of remembrance
in Australia and New Zealand, marking the anniversary
of the first major military action fought by
Australian and New Zealand forces
during the First World War."
Let's remember and honor the present men and women in the services and the past.
My father was in the Second World War.
Have a wonderful weekend Jeanne.
Thank you Edgar...I hope you had a weekend filled with words. I have so enjoyed the ones that have tumbled through my email box..just magic. ;)
DeleteDear Jeanne
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of Patrick and his beautiful girlfriend. You must be very proud of him. I would have been blubbering away beside you. Like you, I cry when I hear the anthem of a country I have lived in. The Last Post now that is when the mascara gets all over my face!!
Have a wonderful weekend
Helen xx
Thank you Helen...and for the link you sent me for Waltzing Matilda. I just loved it and have saved it for future remembrances. xx
DeleteThanks, Jeanne, for this very special post.
ReplyDeleteFarm Gal in VA
You are very welcome FG... ;)
DeleteMy what a handsome son you have, with a very beautiful girlfriend! Your post about Australia and New Zealand is wonderful and would bring a tear to anyone's eye. My dad, who was never able to do much traveling in his lifetime, always said that, if he could go anywhere in the world he would like to go to New Zealand. He must have liked the beautiful pictures he had seen over the years. Australia used to be my first choice for visiting, but of course, after you've seen Paree, what can I say. :-) I am very grateful that Australia and New Zealand continue to be strong allies of the USA.
ReplyDeleteThank you Judy...both countries are beautiful and very different from each other. If you have travel to one, I highly recommend travelling to the other as well. I can appreciate your predicament...Paris is so easy to fall in love with.. xx
DeleteJeanne
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this bit of history. Your son looks dashing in his uniform. The Aussies really have it when it comes to hats don't they?
They certainly do Cindy, that one is a keeper! ;)
DeleteSeems that you have really adopted your host countries. Lovely and embracing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa..a sentimental thought, "lovely and embracing". I think I need a tissue for that one..;)
DeleteThank you for sharing this, Jeanne...I find myself welling up whenever I hear Taps. You must be very proud of your handsome son!! Have a lovely rest of the weekend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy and yes...I am very proud of him...of all of them. ;) xx
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