Alcohol blight on our day of remembrance

Updated November 5 2012 - 10:20pm, first published April 26 2010 - 5:24am

Anzac Day is a solemn but not always sober occasion.It is a day that starts with soldiers standing sentry to the poignant strains of the Last Post. It ends, sometimes, with young Australians punching on after far too many beers.There's nothing wrong with a few drinks. The Anzac spirit is infused with larrikinism and the sort of horseplay that comes with mates getting together to share a beer, and some bulldust. And for many veterans, raising a glass to Diggers past, and catching up with those who remain, is part and parcel of Anzac Day.Australian soldiers fought and died to ensure a healthy, happy and free Australia - a healthy democracy and a healthy society. Drinking ourselves into oblivion isn't part of that picture. Yes, it's an ingrained culture, some would say the Australian way, but it's the old Australian way and we should be trying to change.A healthy Australia should be populated by healthy Australians who know how to have a good time without putting their, and others', health at risk.It is a little sad that Australia Day and Anzac Day now require increased police planning in case of alcohol-related violence.It's sad that our society's instinct on days of national significance is to binge-drink.It's a shame that for some young Australians waking up this morning, our day of remembrance is a day they can hardly remember.

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