April 25 - ANZAC Day

Every year Australians and New Zealanders celebrate ANZAC Day on April 25.  For me, as an Australian, this year was especially memorable.  Lyle & I were in Villers-Bretonneux where we attended the dawn service.

The shuttle bus which we booked some months ago, picked us up at 3:00 a.m.  When we arrived at the Australian War Memorial, there were 4000 chairs set up.  We were fortunate to find two chairs, but many others remained standing at the back and sides.  The site faces east at the top of a hill.  The wind blew steadily and was icy cold.

There was a short program before the actual service of remembrance began. School choirs sang, an Australian Army band performed, and slides of World War I scenes and soldiers were shown on the memorial tower wall.  I couldn't actually see this part but Lyle described it to me.  The service itself began at 5:30 a.m., just as there was a beginning light over the horizon.  It was very poignant.

Following this service we moved to the small village of Villers-Bretonneux for another service at 8:30 a.m.  Both services celebrated the special bond between France and Australia.  When we left the War Memorial we had passed the many, many headstones of Australian, New Zealand, North African, and Canadian soldiers who died defending this small village.

After this short service we moved across the square to an indoor market area for a concert by the most amazing brass band we have ever heard.  The Amiens Brass Band, conducted by Eric Brisse, played many selections with Australian themes and received two standing ovations from an appreciative audience.

After the concert Lyle walked around the corner and found a patisserie with most delectable goodies.  We had two big pastries with strawberries and whipped cream.  It was a great finish to an amazing morning.  I felt proud to be an Australian.  It was a great boost to patriotism.

Our shuttle delivered us back to our hotel at 12:30 p.m.  We will spend our second night in Amiens and then take the train back to Paris tomorrow morning.