[3_wombats]

I do find it inappropriate and disrespectful then again I am the Grand Daughter of a veteran that was lucky enough to survive being a POW on the Burma Thai Railway and also Changi.

It's hardly the child's fault that their birthday is on Anzac Day. It's like saying we shouldn't allow people who's birthdays coincide with Easter celebrate as it's disrespectful to Jesus.

[I*Love*Christmas]

Growing up we always went to the Dawn Service and then spent the day at the barracks (my Dad was a Solidier). Nowadays my DH will always go to the dawn service and I will too depending on the kids and stuff and that is about it. Usually watch the broadcasts on TV. This year we were thinking about taking the kids in to see the parade in the city.

[PrincessPeach]

If it's in the afternoon then it would be ok.

As PP have said, Dawn service & the parades are all held in the morning.

My dad is a vietnam vet as well & he refuses to acknowledge the day, yet his father (who served in WWII) & my mothers grandfather (served in WWI) would always celebrate the day with their mates from their unit at their local RSL.

[Saecularis Angel...]

At least Easter moves so it's not on your birthday every year....(spoken as one who finds the years her birthday is on Good Friday particularly annoying!)

I spend ANZAC day steadfastly ignoring all observances. In the last several years I've often worked (although, for those who are frowning at the shops opening, note that I'm not in retail!). But I don't know that I'd hold a party - my choice not to observe the day is my choice; I wouldn't want to impinge on something important to others.

[**Xena**]

I don't find it disrespectful.

I do like to reflect on ANZAC day about how horrific and horrible war is and mourn the loss of those that were killed (Australians, Turks, everyone) but I wouldn't see a problem with going to a party, especially in the afternoon.

[TheGreenSheep]

DH always does dawn service and or the march. The kids also attend either with him as well.

There is always a party to attend each year as there is an Anzac birthday in our family, but we do it as dinner so that we can observe and remember in the mornings.

[SUSIE25]

It's hardly the child's fault that their birthday is on Anzac Day

DS and I celebrate our Anzac Day birthdays together every year on the actual day.

[CubaLulu]

I always go to the dawn service.

I spend the day doing whatever I want to, and enjoying the freedoms all the vets fought to give us. I raise a glass to the fallen, the wounded, and the safely returned.

And I am also a great granddaughter of a vet who went through hell, and daughter of a Vietnam vet who won't talk about it. Ever. And I'm ex military myself.

Yep, this is me. I watch the dawn service or attend one if my Dad is in the state with me. I then have a big cry during the Last Post (gets to me every time) and then I spend the day thinking of everything my Dad and Grandfather went through and how lucky I am that I didn't have to watch any of my brothers/friends go off to war and never return when we were in our early 20's.

My Dad, however, is very vocal about his Viet Nam experience. He's even written several books on the subject. It's interesting how different people cope.

[Bluenomi]

DH always watches the AFL since they always have an ANZAC day match. I'll probably sit around the house enjoying the fact I'm not at work. I might leave DD with DH and use the afternoon as an excuse to get some clothes shopping done without her around to 'help'.

[Julie3Girls]

We don't do anything in particular regarding Anzac day. We do talk about it, will turn the parades on and talk to the girls about it. The school always does an Anzac service at school on the nearest school day, so the girls know about it.

The party .. wouldn't bother me at all, as long as it is in the afternoon. Why would it be disrespectful to spend time in the afternoon enjoying those freedoms that our servicemen and women fight to protect.