Today is a major holiday in Australia - the commemoration of a disastrous battle against the Turks in WW1. It's similar to Veteran's Day in the U.S. - except the differences are huge. In the U.S. it's more just a work holiday, with the president laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier - and which nobody really watches. 

In Australia, every town has a wreath ceremony. Every town has a list of the fallen in a prominent location. Everybody is involved. A parade in Sydney that's bigger than the Macy's parade in NYC. And at every occasion you are reminded that people died in wars obeying orders (good and bad) - and you should be grateful. A continuous stream of military remembrances on TV.

And at the end of the ceremonies (right after the Australian national anthem) is a rousing rendition of 'God Save the Queen'. I'll have to admit I'm not quite ready to belt that one out. But I hummed along anyway since it's the same basic tune as 'My Country Tis of Thee'.