Can you spot the error in this picture
OK this is not really a sports column, but do you find images of hordes of youngsters at Gallipoli wearing Fanatics t-shirts just a little bit, um, crass?
It is truly wonderful that Australian’s have embraced ANZAC day. It seems to resonate with the masses far better than our national day. The pilgrimage to Gallipoli has even become trendy, which is remarkable given the clientele seems to hover around 20-somethings whose link to the war is increasingly not related to grandfathers and great-grandfathers who were actually there in battle. However when they are decked out, one by one, in gold t-shirts and beanies, all stamped with the Fanatics brand, in a funky font, don’t all those fuzzy warm feelings go away a little?
The Fanatics are best known for their organized yobboism at sporting events. Davis Cup, Ashes cricket, rugby world cup, you name anything which can be jingo-ised, they’ll be there. Young, loud and often boorish, their presence is tailor made for the sporting arenas. The battle fields of Gallipoli? Hmmm probably not. There are plenty of other venues to have a glorified Contiki tour.
The Fanatics are also quite the profitable organization. They don’t put together these field trips for the love of the game, no sir. Judging by the sea of gold stamped over news vision yesterday, it was a sensational day for turnover. The fallen would be so proud.
Walking through the streets of Sydney on the way to work, what struck was the reverence we as a community hold the diggers in on this day. Young people, middle aged folk, the lot, buying their badge brandishing brethren a beer, giving over their chairs at packed pubs, gleefully listening to old stories. Now this is honest, true recognition. Genuine respect for those who helped provided us with a lifestyle we have today.
It was all so humbling. So real. And not a gold t-shirt in sight.
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