The 25th of April, Anzac Day The one day of the year that evokes universal emotions in so many people. I am no different as I stand with pride as an Air Force cadet in my perfectly pressed blue uniform, time honored slouch hat, high polished belt buc

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“That one day of the year”

The 25th of April, Anzac Day – The one day of the year that evokes universal emotions in so many people.  I am no different as I stand with pride as an Air Force cadet in my perfectly pressed blue uniform, time honored slouch hat, high polished belt buckle and black patent shoes that glisten like ebony in the sun.  With a steel grey Styer rifle slung over my shoulder I stand guarding the Forest Lake War Memorial as part of the catafalque party.  I feel honored to have been chosen along with three other cadets from 224 Squadron at Amberley to silently stand guard at this sacred memorial on Anzac Day 2010.

With the blazing mid-morning sun, searing down on the back of my neck I silently plead with God.  “Please don’t let me faint in the heat, like so many have done on previous parades”.  All the cadets from 224 SQN have taken bets on who would be the first cadet to collapse in the harsh sun; bets are on Brewell, who is nearly 15 kgs overweight and known to never make it through a bivouac without having to report to the First Aid station at least once.  

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As I stand with my head solemnly bowed, my mind wanders as I stand perfectly still.  I think of Granddad, who when he was not much older than me was “Chasing Japs around the bloody jungle”.  This is the only insight I have of Granddad and the war as he seldom talks of it.  I catch a quick glimpse of Granddad from the corner of eye as he stands in the massed crowd, at 85 years of age he still stands tall. It is nearly 65 long years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed and the war declared over, ...

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