ANZAC Day - belated diary entry

Salvos MARCH!

ANZAC Day took on quite a new meaning for the Dubbo Salvation Army this year. For the first time in a long time (Adeline McDougall says it has been at least 20 years) our Corps participated in the ANZAC Day march down Wingewarra Street, up Macquarie Street, up Talbragar Street and through Victoria Park to the cenotaph for the ANZAC ceremony.

I was privileged to bear the Salvation Army flag and march at the front.

We were placed quite forward in the march, with only military in front of us (the diggers, Army Cadets, Air Cadets). The feeling was awesome, and the crowds lining the streets was amazing.

There was no city band in the march this year, only drums. There was a van with recordings of the pipe band behind us, but it didn't create the same atmosphere that a real band would (having memories of marching with the Paramatta City Corps a couple of years ago!).

The best part of Salvos marching was the women and kids playing their timbrels. They had quite a good rhythm going and created a lot of interest for the public that were lining the streets.

The day wasn't perfect, we were a bit rusty on protocol and later found out that no flag in your group should be higher than the Australian flag... where ours was about 6 foot taller :D (In fact, I think the Salvo flag towered much higher than any other flag or banner in the whole parade). Also, when we reached the cenotaph, the diggers and military cadets stopped to one side, which meant WE were at the front of the parade entering the circle around the cenotaph.

Amid the cheers and claps I heard two contradictory instructions "GO LEFT" and "GO RIGHT". Well we went right... and looked back as the other groups went left. D'OH! But nobody noticed (or at least nobody commented) and people were just happy to see the Salvation Army marching again.

Once we'd entered and found our spot in the circle surrounding the cenotaph, I slipped over to play hymns with the Dubbo City Brass Band - another new experience for me. It became apparent to a few band members at that time that I was involved in the Salvos. I felt no negative vibes for wearing my Salvation Army uniform in the band (I was nervous about doing it), but conversely, I did get a much warmer greeting from a couple of members that I haven't had any real interaction with previously.

Overall, an excellent day for the Salvation Army - a wonderful honor to pay tribute to our heroic diggers who paid the ultimate price for our country's freedom.

LEST WE FORGET