now I want Anzac cookies!

A day spent with family remembering the lives given for our freedom.

I usually spend Anzac Day down the pub with friends. I live in Melbourne where there are many good pubs - all playing 2-Up - and it seems kind of appropriate to be partaking in a very traditional Aussie passtime of a chat and a beer. (and a gamble!)

We, most years, spend the day with our son and his fiancee. We, some years, visit the garden cemetery where a lot of our close relatives lie, and take time to reflect and remember them also. It is a very special day to our family. It is also a time to spend part of the day connecting with the local community. A day, of course, to remember the fallen through all wars, we try and take a walk along our local beach, whilst being so grateful that we live free in such a wonderful country with such beautiful scenery and how lucky we were to be born here and not in many war torn countries

We go to the town memorial, either during the service or later, and leave flowers. I give some of my flowers to our florist, as she's snowed under. We watch relevant shows on TV or video, to educate the kids.

in Sydney we would go to Martin place memorial that evening with the kids, and partake of hard tack and bully beef (rye biscuits and canned corned beef.) also Anzac biscuits of course! we would see the guys in their medals, without the big crowds.

I go with my Dad to his Signals Vets meet up he was conscripted for the Vietnam war and chose to follow in his fathers footsteps by choosing the Sigs Corp. I watch him march and wear my Paternal Grandfathers medals, who (also Signal soldier) trained in Egypt and served in Papa New Guinea as a bike messenger, where he was knocked from his bike by a Jap soldier with a Samurai sword, he survived the encounter. My mother will wear my maternal Grandpa's medals. He served in the British army as a nurse. Stationed on Malta then later in the war followed the Allied Forces from France, Belgium and into Berlin for the final push, treating over 1000 Allied soldiers per day. He was a quite and gentle man, who had dreamed of being a doctor, but the poorness of his family prevented such studies. When he passed 5yrs ago he donated his body to medical science. He never wanted his medals as he didn't believe he need to be rewarded for doing what he saw was the only thing to do, try save lives. We had his medals mounted last year. After the march and service we all go have a counter meal at a local pub and have a raffle to raise money for the Signals Vets.

I take some quiet time to remember that my father spent his 21st birthday sitting on an airstrip on Gibraltar waiting to do a night flight in the belly of a plane, navigating in the dark. I hope we in Australia never forget the debt we owe that generation and are able to pass that on to today's kids.

Lots of families at our local parade today as there seems to have been across the country both the parades and the dawn services

We (extended family) go to a local morning service. Some of us march with various family medals. Then we all have breakfast together. My 95 year old Granddad still goes in the parade.

making sure that we appreciate the safe and wonderful country we have

I had a great uncle in Egypt in WW1, a great uncle in Tobruk, another on the Kokoda track and a second cousin in Vietnam. I don't know a lot about their stories, but they did their part and all got home, I am proud of all of them. Think about them especially on Anzac Day.

I wasn't familiar with this day until now. I'm Canadian. However, there are currently severe forest fires burning in Fort McMurray, Alberta. One of the next towns to it is called Anzac. I was wondering aloud where the name came from. Now I have a reason to research both ties to Anzac. Thank-you and bless the memories of those who lost their lives and those who survived.

Hi luvourhome, so sorry to see the devastation Canada is suffering. I see your terrible fires on the news here in Australia and would like to say, that I and I am sure many Australians have you in our thoughts. I hope it rains very hard soon for you all!

Yes luvourhome, thinking of everyone affected by such frightening and terrible wild fires. May they be controlled as soon as possible and every one stay safe

luvourhome, Anzac, Alberta was named in honour of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. In WWI, they surveyed the area around Waterways (Fort McMurray) in order to build the rail line there. Goods were taken to that point by train and then loaded onto barges to be delivered further north.

I live about 4 hours away. I was there a few years ago. It was a very historic part of the area and very interesting. There were huge docks, where the barges would be loaded. Sadly, it has all been lost in the fire.

@ everyone--thanks so much. I'm considering volunteering quite seriously--they are calling for health care professionals across Canada to volunteer.

@roxsolid--awwww so sad to hear that. It's heart-breaking. BC is already experiencing an influx of people seeking to start over. If they already lost their jobs in the oil-sands and now their homes? May as well...

Tragic.

luvourhome, that can be the terrible loss in these devestating events, the sad loss of lives and history - best of wishes to you all - keep safe

Thanks for the well wishes. Amazingly, there has been no loss of human life.

WestJet, a western Canada airline has been flying FortMac fire evacuees and their pets to Calgary and Edmonton. Pets are riding in coach with their Moms and Dads!