Silence on ANZAC Day

It's ANZAC Day in Australia next Friday.

A day where we stop to remember the sacrifices of brave young people during times of war.

This year is particularly significant at it is the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.

Every year I buy a badge or something similar to help raise money for returned soldiers.

Not sure I'd buy a minute of silence on my iPhone though.

Yes it's a clever idea.

Yes it raises money for a good cause.

And yes the minutes of silence were recorded by Australian Defence Force members and their families from conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam.

But the idea of listening to your phone as a mark of respect or quiet contemplation just doesn't sit well with me.

Yes we need to get the kids involved.

But seriously.  Why can't we just take a moment on this most solemn of days to be alone with our thoughts, rather than our phones?