"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 morning we will remember them "
LEST WE FORGET ......
My grandfather Francis (Frank ) Joesph Armstrong served in North Africa with the 2nd / 24th Battalion , he was killed in the siege of Tobruk . In the shimmering deserts of Libya the battalion dug themselves into sandy trenches to hold off the onslaught of the enemy, the tenanacity and resolve of the 2nd /24th Battalion earning them the title of the " Rats of Tobruk ".
The greatest sacrifice that anyone can make is to die to protect someone else .Thousands of Australians just like my grandfather made this supreme sacrifice in military engagments over the past one hundred years . They died serving their country.
Even if they died in a vain and futile war , we must hold their memory sacred , and not judge the outcome of their actions but remember the motive of being prepared to die in defence of their country and fellow humans from the aggressors.
Thank you Chris and Donna for taking me to the dawn service and sharing the story of Chris`s grandfather who lost his life in the Battle of Sommes in France , and Donna`s great great great grandfather who served in the battle of Gettisberg , he survived the battle but detoured via Australia on his way home to Ireland in search of " the mother lode "
Tins of salted pork were staples on the front line and much sought after fare , tonight in Castle Garden we share a meal of sticky ribs , it won`t be tinned nor will it be rotten ...but then again what is rotten .?
Go Pies !
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them "
LEST WE FORGET ......
My grandfather Francis (Frank ) Joesph Armstrong served in North Africa with the 2nd / 24th Battalion , he was killed in the siege of Tobruk . In the shimmering deserts of Libya the battalion dug themselves into sandy trenches to hold off the onslaught of the enemy, the tenanacity and resolve of the 2nd /24th Battalion earning them the title of the " Rats of Tobruk ".
The greatest sacrifice that anyone can make is to die to protect someone else .Thousands of Australians just like my grandfather made this supreme sacrifice in military engagments over the past one hundred years . They died serving their country.
Even if they died in a vain and futile war , we must hold their memory sacred , and not judge the outcome of their actions but remember the motive of being prepared to die in defence of their country and fellow humans from the aggressors.
Thank you Chris and Donna for taking me to the dawn service and sharing the story of Chris`s grandfather who lost his life in the Battle of Sommes in France , and Donna`s great great great grandfather who served in the battle of Gettisberg , he survived the battle but detoured via Australia on his way home to Ireland in search of " the mother lode "
Tins of salted pork were staples on the front line and much sought after fare , tonight in Castle Garden we share a meal of sticky ribs , it won`t be tinned nor will it be rotten ...but then again what is rotten .?
Go Pies !
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