I did the dawn service and the march at Maclean in northern NSW.
The plan was to take my good mate out of hospital for the RSL lunch as well but he's too ill atm to get out of bed let alone eat and drink.
In regards to Mustufa Kemel Attaturks address, shows a large streak of humanity and humility, I often wonder if we would have been so forgiving and compassionate to someone who had attacked us, I think not.
A Big man with big ideals and Turkey is a better place today because of him.
Wish we had a leader of similar ability.
We're a funny lot the Aussies, does anyone else revere getting a hiding in battle like we do?

I'm sorry to hear your mate was unable to make it out of hospital Pete...but hopefully he could still be able to "remember".

An interesting point about whether or not we could or would extend the same humanity to a foe who attacked Australia. I think a lot of it comes down to the "conduct of the battle". The battle at Gallipoli was one of respect from day one, even though the two sides were hell bent on killing the other. As the battle wore on, there were many instances of good humoured banter between the trenches of each side when they were separated by only metres, including the sharing of rations.

You are right about what Ataturk did for Turkey...as I said...he was a "man amongst men" that built a great country...a Leader that any country would be proud to have in it's history.

Cheers, Vince