what does anzac day mean to you?, page-61

Anzac Day has two levels for me. On one level the government and organisations exploit the sympathy and support for our soldiers, past and present to their own advantage. This exploitation occurs not only on Anzac Day but whenever events suit their purposes. This naturally makes me indignant. On the other level I am grateful for Anzac Day, society now respects our servicemen and women, the spitting and chanting my partner experienced during the vietnam war is thankfully a thing of the past. As a mother I wish there was no war, no conflict, but humans are humans and the reality is we need our soldiers and I am grateful every time my son returns from deployment safe and sound. Today is his day, yes, by now he will be pie eyed with his mates,he has earned it. I appreciate his protection.
Inimitable