I saw a kid marchin’ with medals on his chest.
He marched alongside Diggers marching six abreast.
He knew that it was ANZAC Day - he walked along with pride.
He did his best to keep in step with the Diggers by his side.
And when the march was over the kid was rather tired.
A Digger said “Whose medals, son?” to which the kid replied:
“They belong to daddy, but he did not come back.
He died up in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track”.
The kid looked rather sad then and a tear came to his eye.
The Digger said “Don’t cry my son and I will tell you why.
Your daddy marched with us today - all the blooming way.
We Diggers know that he was there - it’s like that on ANZAC Day”.
The kid looked rather puzzled and didn’t understand,
But the Digger went on talking and started to wave his hand.
“For this great land we live in, there’s a price we have to pay
For we all love fun and merriment in this country where we live.
The price was that some soldier his precious life must give.
For you to go to school my lad and worship God at will,
Someone had to pay the price so the Diggers paid the bill.
Your daddy died for us my son - for all things good and true.
I wonder if you understand the things I’ve said to you”.
The kid looked up at the Digger - just for a little while
And with a changed expression, said, with a lovely smile:
“I know my dad marched here today - this is ANZAC Day.
I know he did. I know he did, all the bloomin’ way”.
D. Hunter
(A veteran of Shaggy Ridge with the 2/12 Battalion in WW2)
From: www.anzacday.org.au
I lost my paternal grandfather in the war,... couldn't even tell you exactly which one. But I don't need Anzac Day to remind me how sad it is that I never met him. All need do is think about my dad and how he lived his life. His childhood was destroyed because he didn't have a dad to care for him. His mother had to work day and night to care for 3, and later 4 boys. My dad's history is littered with years spent in childrens' homes around Sydney because his mother was unable to work and care for all 3 kids. He was forced to grow up far too young. He was made to fight for himself, for food and shelter. He learned how to do the laundry and the housework the hard way because he had to. Whenever I hear about the war my heart aches,... not for the grandfather I never knew, but for the dad I did know who never knew his dad.
My dad was in the national ballot in the 60s, I'm so glad he never got called up. I think God protected all of us that time. He is the father to the fatherless.
