I don’t see the issue with a party after midday. Yes, ANZAC day is a special day for remembering troops - in the morning. The afternoon is for celebration.
Two-up games, beers at the RSL, annual AFL Match with Essendon and Collingwood. Go ahead and have a dance party as well. What’s the issue?
Yes, I’d have serious problems with it if they were holding it in the morning. But the party was scheduled for 6pm. Go nuts boys and girls, have your party.
Honestly, did anyone outside politicians actually have an issue with this?
On reddit’s military forum, there are stories there of some ANZAC day memorial services themselves were excluding modern veterans, claiming the day isn’t about them. Regardless of one’s own opinions on the armed forces, it’s bizarre to see towns arbitrarily considering post-Vietnam ANZACs invalid.
[update: I just had a look around and they’re not even talking about the Greens today]
So, my guess is, actual veterans probably have far more important complaints about the day than some ragebait headlines about some people actually doing fun things long after the ceremonies.
As the son of a Vietnam vet, and grandson of an OG Anzac, I say that’s the stupidest take I’ve ever heard. And I’ve heard people say Anzac day is dumb for glorifying war.
Imagine if WWII vets were excluded because they were never a part of the original Anzac campaign? It’s unfathomable. There has never been an exclusion of any veterans in the Anzac movement. Even post Vietnam when returning vets were unpopular, they were a part of Anzac marches (it was controversial at first because it was a very unpopular war).
I’ve been rather turned off by Anzac Day growing up, since it’s felt more and more the narrative has turned to “mateship” and how heroic the ANZACs were, instead of the reality which is that Australians were sent into the meat grinder by the British Empire (which in fairness, I was taught at school), and that war is hell, and we ought to do everything we possibly can to avoid it.
That all being said, excluding more modern veterans is total bullshit and anyone suggesting modern veterans are any less deserving are being dicks*. And I say this as someone very critical of Australia’s involvement in America’s imperialist invasions.
It’s not our soldiers fault they were sent. They’re the ones who actually had to endure the trauma of war, not Howard, who sent them.
Really hope all veterans in good standing can take part in any march they desire.
*Criticising the military in general, and specific soldiers/units who engaged in war crimes is fair game, in my opinion.
Absolutely. I’ll try and find the post, (update: found it) but IIRC the OP quietly vented their annoyance to their wife that, as a newer vet, they felt ignored by that town’s service only mentioning the Boer War, WWI and WWII. Some grouch overheard them and tried to argue "this isn’t about you!’ then made posts on FB trying to shame them and get them banned. And look, I am critical about most wars Aussies have been in from 1900 to the present, but you’re absolutely right that it’s a stupid take, and I’ll add that it’s horrible and ridiculous too. Vietnam is especially complex because (among other things) there was still conscription ongoing, so it’s unfortunate to see how many people broadly directed their frustrations at the soldiers (mostly fellow worker-class victims of the situation) rather than the people responsible for commanding our citizens.
-And I’ve heard people say Anzac day is dumb for glorifying war.
I say that. And I say people can do whatever they want on this day if they don’t think it means anything good. And those who like it do what ever they think they are supposed to do.
But my sure here this is a “dumb opinion”.
Personally knew several literal ANZACs, descended from 700 years of naval officers, personally worked with RAAF and NALO developing logistical software here: ANZAC day has been co-opted into a jIngoistic military propaganda party.