ANZAC Day and Twitter

Some of the new technologies get bad press, and often that criticism is well earned, but today something like Twitter shows another side of the coin.

Most of the public ANZAC coverage consists of comments from media stars and community bigwigs. Twitter is letting ordinary people have a say, to share what they see or feel about the commemoration.

As I watch, about 10 new messages are posted every minute on the subject of ANZAC day. Here’s a sampling. It’s like seeing a telegram every ten seconds, and this is moving to watch.

•   up early, will be outside for sunrise to pay my respects to the ANZACs on this day
•  I miss not being home for Anzac day this year. Thanks to all the diggers.
•  just got back from seeing the WWII memorial in Washington where there were a number of veterans, quite fitting on ANZAC Day. Lest we forget
•  Tropic: Thousands of people have packed Townsville’s Strand Park for the annual ANZAC Day dawn service
•  Anzac Day memorial service at the local RSL club due to rain: Lest We Forget
•  Trooper Mark Donaldson VC, who attended Sydney's dawn service, will lead today's march - a direct link with past heroes

While the parades, the reunions and the services are wonderful, there are huge numbers who can’t be there. Twitter also serves, because it helps people who can’t attend participate in their own ways.