Rugged up against the early morning cold, we drove over to the Lygon Street tram line, and joined the hoards of people crammed onto the first tram of the day. We were surprised, as everyone seems to be each year Anzac Day is marked, by the number of people, and especially the number of people our age (range, as Kelly points out!!) going along to the service, giving up their sleep on a public holiday, and the general camaraderie feeling about the journey in.Our tram got us to the Shrine end of St Kilda Road just as the preliminary stuff was wrapping up over the load speaker, and just in time for the start of the service. This year there were passages read from high school students, along with the haunting and meaningful Last Post, and the beautiful words said at every service...
They shall not grow old
as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the evening
we will remember them
I cannot believe it has been two years now since we were at the 90th anniversary service at Gallipoli. The Melbourne service was quite reminiscent of that time two years ago, with the temperature and the range of people within the crowd. The solemn reverence of the service was the same. I think this is something I will aim to do at least every couple of years. Such an important and patriotic part of being an Australian.
After a yummy and much needed warm breakfast at The Corner Store, we headed home for a nap, before joining Melissa and Clinton, Dianna, and Watty for a BBQ in the backyard with the footy on the tv. Such a true blue Aussie day!
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