Ever feel alone in your patriotism?

In Australia we are a mixed bag where national pride and patriotism lie - we are at a loss over our flag and anthem, our heritage comes from the oppressed and family/community values change with every generation.

Wanting nothing more than being branded someone proud of her country with ALL its history and the people who now live here - sometimes i feel like having a big sigh, throwing my hands up and giving in. But our kid's are listening. Watch them this 25th.

ANZAC day and its heritage is what keeps us as a nation together - all of us - locals or immigrants, young or old - the story of war and our men's gallentry.

It's a time where the Aussie flag is NOT under question, republic vs monarch isn't mentioned (cept for charlie's wedding) and colour, creed or race makes no difference. This is the country of our choosing and for Australia and those that died in her name, I will continue to fly my flag proudly

Another lot of kids are signing up to the services with the pride of a nation behind them and the younger ones at the services before the "old boys" want to get outa the cot.

I'm proud of the way Australians as a whole has continued the legacy of ANZAC - we do our ancestors justice. Men and women died under this flag of ours - mixed bag it may be but it is ours.

To quote Sorenson who paints rocks in America of GI's and the POW/MIA's of Vietnam (sorry not an aussie quote but this one has always seemed appropriate to the way I feel)

"I love my country, it is the only way I know how to show the Veteran's how proud I am of them"

To one and all a safe Anzac Day long weekend (it falls on a Monday) - may the reunions be memorable, surrounded by the patriotic and the humbled heroic - I know ours shall be of which you'll find pics as usual later

Stay safe my friends