Fed: Anzac brothers-in-arms separated from families

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2010
Fed: Anzac brothers-in-arms separated from families

By Miles Godfrey

SYDNEY, April 22 AAP - Their courage under fire already marks them out as distinct
from ordinary men and women.

And new rules will ensure war veterans taking part in this year's Anzac Day marches
stand out even further from the crowd.

Families have been banned from walking in lock-step with their heroic veteran relatives
in most states.

They will, instead, be asked to join the back of the marches or be herded into a designated
section towards the rear.

Organisers of the marches, the state RSLs (Returned and Services Leagues), say the
move will boost the dignity of the events amid concerns about the dress sense and behaviour
of some planning to attend.

It will also give elderly veterans, some of whom will be marching with their comrades
for the final time, a chance to remain distinct.

It comes amid claims that public interest in Anzac Day has increased rapidly in recent
years, significantly boosting crowds and those trying to be involved.

"If you go along to the footy you wouldn't just kick down the bloody members' door
and expect to be let in," South Australia RSL Anzac Day committee chairman Bill Denny
told AAP.

"In the same way we want people to be part of the event, but we want to keep the veterans
distinct."

He said there was a danger of Anzac Day marches being turned into "pageants" rather
than commemorations.

And civilian relatives planning to attend the Adelaide march should dress appropriately,
he added.

They will be asked to stay in their own section, towards the back of the march.

"There is definitely an increased interest in attending but we ask people to do so
respectfully," Mr Denny continued.

"We think of it as a church service. If your family turns up to church in jeans or
trackies ... well that's maybe what you do.

"But I'd suggest the most appropriate thing to wear is a nice pair of slacks. I wear
a suit as do most of the veterans because that is how we were brought up to behave."

The NSW RSL branch has also asked families to march in an allocated section during
the Sydney parade.

President Don Rowe insists it's not a ban on relatives attending.

But he says there are concerns about relatives turning up in dirty joggers or jeans.

And he agreed there has been a marked increase in public interest in Anzac Day.

"It may well be the last time (some veterans) get to walk down the street together,
so of course they want to make it special," Mr Rowe added.

"What we are asking is that people show some respect to the veterans and allow them
to be distinct."

He said the decision to make families march separately has the support of veterans.

Queensland's RSL branch has also ordered families to walk at the rear of Brisbane's march.

In Melbourne, veterans are being restricted to having one next-of-kin present during the marches.

The same rule applies in Western Australia, where wearing "torn denim, sporting attire
and dirty joggers" is likely to incur the wrath of organisers.

Legitimate carers are being allowed to walk with veterans in all the state capitals.

NSW Labor MP Peter Primrose says it's important that Anzac Day honours war veterans
- and their families.

The minister assisting the premier on veterans affairs attended an Anzac service and
dedication on Wednesday, placing a cross in the grounds of St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney.

The service, held by the War Widows' Guild of Australia, honours servicemen, women
and their families.

"It gives us a chance to reflect on the personal cost of war to those who suffered
the loss of a spouse or partner," Mr Primrose said in a statement.

"The War Widows' Guild was established in 1946 and has been a strong advocate for Australia's
war widows and their families.

"It continues to promote an understanding of their important contribution and helps
our nation remember the debt we owe."

Meanwhile, some academics have questioned how relevant Anzac Day remains.

Australian National University historian Dr James Jupp criticised the day's heavy focus
on the Gallipoli campaign, saying World War II was more important to the wider world.

And he says Anzac Day now has only limited relevance because the WWI veterans have
died and the number of WWII and Korean war veterans is dwindling.

Despite this, Dr Jupp agrees interest in Anzac Day, particularly among younger people,
has increased.

"Some of these wars really did more harm than good, particularly the two we're fighting
today (Iraq and Afghanistan) and the Vietnam War," Dr Jupp told AAP.

"But World War II ... I think was necessary.

"I grew up in England and we never learned anything about Gallipoli.

"I think World War II was more relevant, a more relevant war to remember.

"But (Anzac Day) is really a national day and I don't have any problem with that.

"Nearly all countries have them, even in places like Australia, where nothing has really
happened.

"If they want to commemorate people who died or fought in the wars, it's fine by me."

AAP mdg/evt/maur/mn

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