ANZAC Day is the most important day of the year to remember our Australian and New Zealand veterans and service men and women. Usually, all major cities and country towns alike have Dawn Services at cenotaphs to remember the ANZAC soldiers who landed on Gallipoli Beach at dawn in 1915. Later in the day there are parades of service men and women past and present and a minute's silence at 11:00 am. The city streets are usually crowded with people showing their appreciation.This could not happen this year due to Covid 19. People were advised to stand at the bottom of their drive with candles at dawn and listen to a service on their phone or tablet. So this was done throughout the nation to let our veterans and those who were killed know that we still remember them. It was different but successful under the circumstances. However, the old "diggers" (ex-servicemen) missed marching with their mates then having a drink at the pub together..
The village staff and residents organised a special day in the village. Lanterns and wreaths were made for the resident's driveways and gates. At dawn people stood in their driveways or at the end of their street and listened to the service. Some residents decorated the rose garden with candles and a flag it looked lovely. Later in the day our very own ex-servicemen residents marched through all the streets while the residents waved and clapped from their driveways or balconies. They had a wreath laying ceremony at the end, which residents could watch live on their issued iPads. Our CEO and staff loaded zoom on the iPads and one of our residents, Julie, to walk with the veterans and video them and the ceremony so all the residents could see it. It was a nice tribute to our veterans even though the usual activities were cancelled throughout the whole country.
The village staff and residents organised a special day in the village. Lanterns and wreaths were made for the resident's driveways and gates. At dawn people stood in their driveways or at the end of their street and listened to the service. Some residents decorated the rose garden with candles and a flag it looked lovely. Later in the day our very own ex-servicemen residents marched through all the streets while the residents waved and clapped from their driveways or balconies. They had a wreath laying ceremony at the end, which residents could watch live on their issued iPads. Our CEO and staff loaded zoom on the iPads and one of our residents, Julie, to walk with the veterans and video them and the ceremony so all the residents could see it. It was a nice tribute to our veterans even though the usual activities were cancelled throughout the whole country.
Residents making lanterns for everyone.
Residents making wreaths
Dawn Service
Morning Parade. Our very own veterans lead by our CEO
For the Navy
For the Army
For the airforce.
Our CEO, Chiou See Anderson, lays a wreath from Elements Retirement Village.
Some of our veterans and a minutes silence to remember the fallen.
Our little village cenotaph.
The flag flies at half mast but is raised again after midday.
How beautiful you all did that on ANZAC Day, well done.
ReplyDeleteLove the lanterns.
Take care.
I know it is a different kind of remembrance this year but I think what the retirement home did in memory of those who served is simply beautiful. xx
ReplyDeleteI think you did exceptionally well to commemorate the day whilst still adhering to social distancing. Those home made lanterns were a brain wave by a very creative person.
ReplyDeletegreetings from Katowce Poland stay safe
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you could still lay wreaths in your village and lanterns were a great idea. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYes everything is different now with the Corona, you did very well this way. Here our WW II remembrance is cancelled too, only the King and Queen will lay a wreath without public.
ReplyDeleteHello, I love the lanterns and wreaths. Your community found a wonderful way to spend ANZAC day.
ReplyDeleteTake care and have a great day. Wishing you a great new week!
Beautiful way of marking the day and still staying safe. An Anzac Day you will always remember, I’m sure.
ReplyDeleteA nice ceremony. have you stayed Covid free there in your community? We had 3 cases , 1 who died. All were in health center portion not in independent living.
ReplyDeleteNo we haven't had any cases in the village. We only have independent living here.
Deleteso happy to see they made a way to still honor the vets. it really was beautiful here in your photos. this virus has changed so much that we don't even see or hear about. that lantern is beautiful. what is the light inside? a candle or flashlight?
ReplyDeleteIts a battery operated candle.
DeleteWish That It Was Under Better Circumstances But Love The Homemade Lanterns - Well Done - Gorgeous Photos Throughout This Post - Stay Strong
ReplyDeleteCheers
Glad you are able to do this in such a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to keep ANZAC day during the pandemic. Your village did themselves proud.
ReplyDeleteDifficult to keep the distance, but it seems they managed it ! Would have been impossible here, everything has been cancelled especially in retirement homes, where most of the people died of the virus ! No visits allowed and the poor people are locked in their rooms or apartmeents and have even to eat in there.
ReplyDeleteThat is similar to our nursing homes or Care Facilities as they are called now. But we don't have one of those in our village . It is all independent living apartments ground level.
DeleteWhat a wonderful remembrance in such very different circumstances. The old gent laying the wreath for the air force somehow reminded me a little of Grant and gave me quite a jolt. He used to love ceremonial events. Be safe and keep well. Jo
ReplyDeleteSome serious organisation went into the commemoration and looks like it was very successful.
ReplyDeletewow what a beautiful tribute and great that there was stil a parade. I love the candles and the wrath are beautiful as well. When we walked around the neighbourhood we saw many poppies made out of stone and paper, in peoples garden and doorsteps.
ReplyDeleteI was always struck by the creativity of your village management and residents. That would be an Anzac Day to always remember. You even have your own little village cenotaph!
ReplyDeleteYour community did indeed come together on ANZAC Day and in such a wonderful way. It was also nice to see that people were social distancing vs. wearing face masks outdoors. Sadly, Memorial Day festivities in our city have been cancelled and I have not heard of any sort of "replacement" celebration.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing, wonderful that you are all so creative and of course they will never be forgotten, Well done to you all. T'other Diane
ReplyDeleteA touching way to honor Anzac Day, and the Veterans in your village, always remembered and never forgotten. Very moving! Thank you for sharing Diane.
ReplyDeleteThe ceremonies you held were very meaningful and glad your service men got to march and be honored.
ReplyDeleteYour community did themselves proud, this was wonderful and I'm so pleased you shared your photographs.
ReplyDeleteMy good wishes.
All the best Jan
That is so touching.
ReplyDeleteLove the lamps--especially the one with the gold/bronze flowers. So creative.
How wonderful Diane, that was a really lovely tribute. This is the first Dawn Service we have missed for years. We did the end of drive thing too, as did a few neighbours along the road. Love all the lanterns and wreaths made, and your own veterans walk, so good 💙
ReplyDeleteI love that they made it happen! Your village is amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that your village was able to put on a celebration.
ReplyDelete