By coincidence I came across this badge given to my 9 year old son for attending the Anzac Day service earlier this year with his Cub pack.
Given our recent thoughts about the intertwining of religion, war, the military, it’s interesting that this should come to the surface now.
I’ve got to say: It puts me in mind of McDonalds and their “Happy meals” … same psychology, do you think? (Again, I’m not knocking it — just observing and reflecting upon.)
Don’t think I agree, Pete, though I’m still mulling.
I see a major need for Pakeha to, like Maori, remember their dead, not to glorify war but to be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and often squander.
P.S. Shouldn’t it be Gandhi? I find these h’s slippery little blighters…
Gandhi. Yes, of course. Duh. Thanks! – P
Thanks Graeme.
I support remembrance.
I’ve lost enough people I have treasured to know that’s part of our identity. I hope I don’t give the impression of wanting to dispense with that… as I tried to say in the original ‘God is on OUR side’ post: The Memorials and the remembrance are FITTING.
And for anyone considering the holocaust and the brutal invasion & occupation of Europe by the Nazis, the Blitzkrieg and the U-boats and the Battle of Britain (notwithstanding the later firebombing of Dresden and Japan and the Nukes x2) … that was ‘a just war’, if ever there was one. Those who sacrificed their lives in that battle to defeat that flavour of Fascism were fighting for our freedom. Literally.
And I guess the ‘Poppy Award’ has a place … but it does provoke some reflection on my part. – P