[bagelbagel81]

No, not really. It's pleasing that the RSL has spoken against the findings of the research.

ANZAC Day, like Armistice Day, is a time to remember the fallen and the fighting, the triumph of individuals, but the ulitimate futility of war, especially the Gallipoli campaign, and the reasons why we should work together to avoid. It, like Australia Day, should be about the humanity that unites us, rather than small minededness which divides.

Good to hear

[virtuallotus]

I'm still confused on what they mean by more inclusive - attendance at the services & watching the parades is not restricted to any particular group of people.

Maybe more educational type things? I haven't read the report.

[Canberra chick]

I have never seen ANZAC Day as a day to be "celebrated".

In my humble opinion - it should be a day of quiet reflection and honouring those who served and those who never came home.

I don't understand the whole chest-beating, flat-waving, jingoist side of things.

Basically it should be about respect and acknowledgement of the sacrifices people made in war time.

That's my take on it anyways ......

well said. My dad recently visited and was a bit shocked at how one sided the story was at The War Memorial.You'd think no Turks had died...

[trish12a]

Also, the faux 'paying homage' at Gallipoli need to be stopped. It's lost it's spirit, and has turned into a event for youth wanting to feel socially active, but they're missing the point. The fact that they trash the place is evidence of this, utterly disrespectful.

Just because of a few young people misbehaving does not mean this event should be stopped. My DH is a young veteran, and has lost friends (some very recently) while they have served. One of the things that has meant so much to him, is the thought that one day he will make it to Gallipoli for the ANZAC day service as an honour to these friends.

I have only ever known ANZAC day to be a very respectful day, however I have also really only celebrated this day generally on an Army base so am yet to experience the non-military public behaviour at these events. Don't get me wrong, I know that often it is the military members who are the drunks at the pub on this day but again, I've not seen this as I have gone home by the time the drunks have come out.

[Lokum]

Also, the faux 'paying homage' at Gallipoli need to be stopped. It's lost it's spirit, and has turned into a event for youth wanting to feel socially active, but they're missing the point. The fact that they trash the place is evidence of this, utterly disrespectful.

They don't trash the place. Footage of drunken frolicking among the gravestones is also file footage from years ago. Images of an Australian at 'Gallipoli' with a beer can these days are generally filmed days in advance of the Dawn Service, 500km away in Istanbul, or across the Strait in Canakkale. It's a beat up, and that crap hasn't happened in more than 10 years.

I don't know why it's a media story to be flogged every year, when there is no story. The fact is, it's on the backpacker tourist route around the Med, and Gallipoli is a key story in our fledgling modern history, so of course it's interesting. I've only ever seen people behave with respect and interest - and I've had cause to visit at Anzac Day and other times of the year for professional reasons.

I think giving air time to this media crap, (which tries to inflame racist commentary and anti-multiculturalism) is a mistake.