"Oh, what time is it. 5:22 AM dang! My alarm goes off at 5:30. Anyway might as well get up." My alarm was set for the ANZAC dawn service.
I got up and had a bite to eat, brushed my teeth and got dressed. I put on my sweat shirt and some long pants that I hardly ever wear, on goes my hat and in the car. Mum, Zoë and I drove down to Burnham and parked about 250 meters from the Main South Road.
We all walked down with the mob of people that were also attending the service and found a good place to stand for the next 50 or so minutes. The service began and the piper started to play "ANZAC'S we remember you," that was good as it always seems to be. Then that great cannon went off and I jumped out of my skin. Out of the corner of my eye was an orange flash that came out of the gun. The guy and his girlfriend behind us leaped out of their skins, so did Mum and the guy also said to his girlfriend, "Are you awake now." I laughed in my head.
They do warn everyone, but in that very small moment you forget. The service went on and I am always so amazed that those Sentry guards can stand still for that matter of time.
Next was the breaking of the flags, while "The Last Post" was being played. Then as they re-hoist the flags "Reveille" was played on the bugle.
All of the people who wish to lay wreaths are called individually and make their way through the crowd to do so. It's always a good thing to hear Kidsfirst Kindergarten Burnham being called because it reminds me of the fun I had there when I was younger.
At last the Sentry guards can come down from their post above the gates to the military camp. I think they must feel relieved to be able to move again.
That marks the end of the dawn service and so we turn and head back to the car quietly thinking our own thoughts. The Sun has risen and you think, "Wow I can see now."
The reason I like to attend the dawn service is because of the respect I have for the soldiers that fought for our freedom. It's hard to get up that early, in the morning, but I feel that is the least I can do to honour our fallen soldiers.
