Anzac Day 2011

Photo’s supplied by:  Michael Purcell

Pictured above:  Michael Purcell  Pictured below: Lance Edgecombe’s grandfather, Mr Arnold Degoumois who fought in Turkey.

The 96th Anniversary of Anzac Day has passed with less of our Aussie Diggers present due to the passing of time…but those Aussie Diggers will never be forgotten, their bravery never questioned and they will always be our hero’s because of the sacrifice they made for us all to continue to maintain our pride to be an Australian.

Two of our once Copi kids, now Copi adults  Michael Purcell (Purc) and Lance Edgecombe (Lanfo), with their own Copi kids, decided on the eve of Anzac day that they would like to run a small non-scripted service at Copi.

Purc and Lanfo went around telling as many as they could that at 0530hrs they would run a small service at the flag pole out the front of the club house.  They both went to bed that night unsure if anyone would attend or even if anyone had taken them seriously but either way they would be there to reflect.

Purc went on to say :

“That morning we borrowed Morg’s Aussie flag and made our way down to the club house, as we turned the corner we seen at least 8 people in attendance already and more walking up the grass toward us.  We were quite chuffed that people came down, approx. 20 people attended.

I started by asking everyone to remember and thank all those men and women that sacrificed there lives for our great land and the land of our neighbours.  Remembering that these hero’s went away young, many untrained everyone with families left behind and give it there all.

I also reminded everyone about the families left behind and the anguish they felt as there family members left for war, many of which did not return.

I spoke about the freedom that we all enjoy and many take for granted due to those men and women who gallantly fought.

I reminded everyone that it is our responsibility to ensure that the spirit of the ANZAC is never lost and passed down to our children, and that the emotions of ANZAC Day never fades.

I also commented on all troops currently serving  oversee’s or here in Australia, that we are all very proud of them and we wish them safe.

The Last Post was then played via an iphone, as Lanfo lowered the Australian Flag to half mast.

We observed 1 min silence and then I told a modified ODE of remembrance.

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”.

Lanfo and I finalized the service by thanking everyone for attending and promised next year will be bigger and better”.