The baton we carry, and the history we must pass on

For twenty-five years, I have largely resisted writing about September 11.

What could I possibly add?

The words have already been written. Millions of them. The photographs have been published countless times. The terrible images have been replayed until they are etched into the collective memory of anyone old enough to remember that morning.

And rightly so.

There are some events that must be remembered.

But this year I find myself wanting to write about September 11 for a different reason.

Twelve Angry People

What 12 Angry Men can teach us about the hardest job in a courtroom

I have an opinion about the Lindsay Clancy trial.

A very strong one, actually.

But here's the thing.

I'm not on the jury.

Neither are you.

And that distinction matters.

The Census Came for the Quiet Ones

I have just finished the Australian Census.

Had it not been for the threat of a $364 a day fine, I would have told them where to shove it.

I was angry.  I am angry. Bloody angry. 

The anger surprised me. It was not because I objected to every question. It was not because I failed to understand that governments need information to plan roads, hospitals, schools and services.

It was something more personal than that.

For most of my life, I have asked very little from government. I pay my taxes. I obey the law. I try not to trouble anyone. I have lived quietly, kept my own counsel, and valued the simple freedom of being just another person moving through the world.

The Census reminded me that privacy is no longer something we simply possess.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a time for Americans to honour the men and women who have died in military service to the United States. This day is marked by ceremonies, parades, and tributes, reflecting the nation's respect and gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Much like our ANZAC Day, it is a day to genuinely honour those who fought and perished to defend our right to freedom. 

Memorial Day in the United States and ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand are both national days dedicated to remembering and honouring military personnel who have served and sacrificed for their countries. While these special days share a common purpose, they differ in their origins, customs, and modern significance. Comparing these two observances provides a way to look into how different nations honour their fallen heroes and reflect on their military histories.

This post explores the history in both and how they are the same yet different.

Imagine this: 

It is the 25^th April, and a German man and his wife from Munich are taking a motoring holiday to the South of France. They pass through the northern French city of Amiens. 

They observe much gaiety among the populace and are wondering what it is all about. 

They pass through the city and 15 km down the road they approach a small town. 

On the outskirts, they pass a cemetery which has a sign “Adelaide Cemetery”. 

Says the man, " that is not a French name. What does it mean? "