April 2008 - it should be spring, but Los Angeles gave us a scorcher. Hundreds of Australians and Kiwis headed the Los Angeles National Cemetery for the Anzac Memorial Service hosted by the New Zealand Consulate, for an early ceremony. Many guests wore their finest, but visibly regretted it later as the sun burned into our backs. The crispness of starched shirts and jackets soon faded as they were tossed away or used as shields from the sun.
An arc of perfectly arranged chairs soon rearranged themselves into spots of shade as people migrated into the cool provided by the surrounding trees. The program's were used as fans, but could offer little relief. We looked on with sympathy as the uniformed cadets stood unflinching in the fierce heat.
I've never really been comfortable coming here. Tiptoeing through graves appologetically. But my discomfort pales compared with those we are here to remember. I have no idea how to even imagine what it was they went through for us, so instead I am grateful for them. Grateful for this peaceful day. Grateful for our peaceful home we as expats are lucky enough to enjoy.
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