4/25/20
After doing our Betty Rocker HIIT workout, I ran 7.5 miles as part of the virtual Coyote Dash race that C of I students and alums were participating in around the world. I did a beautiful run along the lake cliffs with views of the Remarkables
It was ANZAC (Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) day here in New Zealand. This is where the folks of New Zealand and Australia honor those veterans still living and those who fought and died in war. The ANZAC commemoration was very moving and touching. Kiwis got up at 6am dawn and stood outside their houses and drives to honor the soldiers. Some played a traditional tune played on a horn instrument. Also most houses put up some sort of commemorative sign in their yard. Often with a poem associated with the day and almost always with the saying "Lest we forget". And always adorned with poppies (not real flowers, but constructed) as poppies have become a symbol of ANZAC day since poppies were the first flower to grow back in the battlefields. We also got to watch on TV all the ways they commemorated and observed ANZAC day across the country (and even Kiwis abroad, especially in England).
The ANZAC commemoration was very moving and touching. In New Zealand, this day is very much a solemn day of remembrance, honor, and thought across all of NZ. To me it contrasts starkly with what Memorial Day has become in the USA. I realize that there are many solemn services held throughout the US on Memorial Day, but the feeling of the country as a whole is more of a "Start of Summer Bash"--bring out the cold beer and bbqs, have beach and camping parties, watch NASCAR (Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600), etc.
I couldn't help but wonder, had Memorial Day happened to have fallen within the last 2 weeks, if it would have been treated as yet another reason to get out and protest, using the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers as an excuse to push the selfish (in my opinion) complaining about a temporary loss of some freedoms. It was rather inspiring to see everyone here in NZ stay united within the lockdown rules (despite lockdown being extended by a week) and to hear elderly veterans call into the news to thanks Kiwis for acknowledging their sacrifices back in the day and for now sacrificing in order to kepp them, the elderly vets safe. By giving up some freedoms for a short time, they are essentially giving many vets (and other old and vulnerable) a better chance at living.
4/26/20
I did a 31 mile ride today, of which 10 was on a really fun singletrack trail along the Shotover River. Elisha biked out to Jack's point. The TV had Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure on, which is one of Elisha's all-time favorite movies.
After doing our Betty Rocker HIIT workout, I ran 7.5 miles as part of the virtual Coyote Dash race that C of I students and alums were participating in around the world. I did a beautiful run along the lake cliffs with views of the Remarkables
It was ANZAC (Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) day here in New Zealand. This is where the folks of New Zealand and Australia honor those veterans still living and those who fought and died in war. The ANZAC commemoration was very moving and touching. Kiwis got up at 6am dawn and stood outside their houses and drives to honor the soldiers. Some played a traditional tune played on a horn instrument. Also most houses put up some sort of commemorative sign in their yard. Often with a poem associated with the day and almost always with the saying "Lest we forget". And always adorned with poppies (not real flowers, but constructed) as poppies have become a symbol of ANZAC day since poppies were the first flower to grow back in the battlefields. We also got to watch on TV all the ways they commemorated and observed ANZAC day across the country (and even Kiwis abroad, especially in England).
The ANZAC commemoration was very moving and touching. In New Zealand, this day is very much a solemn day of remembrance, honor, and thought across all of NZ. To me it contrasts starkly with what Memorial Day has become in the USA. I realize that there are many solemn services held throughout the US on Memorial Day, but the feeling of the country as a whole is more of a "Start of Summer Bash"--bring out the cold beer and bbqs, have beach and camping parties, watch NASCAR (Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600), etc.
I couldn't help but wonder, had Memorial Day happened to have fallen within the last 2 weeks, if it would have been treated as yet another reason to get out and protest, using the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers as an excuse to push the selfish (in my opinion) complaining about a temporary loss of some freedoms. It was rather inspiring to see everyone here in NZ stay united within the lockdown rules (despite lockdown being extended by a week) and to hear elderly veterans call into the news to thanks Kiwis for acknowledging their sacrifices back in the day and for now sacrificing in order to kepp them, the elderly vets safe. By giving up some freedoms for a short time, they are essentially giving many vets (and other old and vulnerable) a better chance at living.
4/26/20
I did a 31 mile ride today, of which 10 was on a really fun singletrack trail along the Shotover River. Elisha biked out to Jack's point. The TV had Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure on, which is one of Elisha's all-time favorite movies.
 |
| Elisha's ANZAC day breakfast |
 |
| ANZAC day decorations in the neighborhood |
 |
| Shotover River |
No comments:
Post a Comment