ANZAC Day

Australia and New Zealand commemorate ANZAC Day on the 25th of April every year. The day was marked initially to remember members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who landed at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. That tradition has been extended and the commemorations recognise World War II veterans and returned servicemen and women from the conflicts in Malaya, Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam, veterans from allied countries and other peacekeepers. In Brisbane thousands lined the streets today to watch and honour those and their kin recognise the day.



The ANZAC tradition recognises the ideals of courage, endurance and mateship. Courage, in that many of the young men sent to fight at Gallipoli knew they would face certain death. Endurance, in that the conditions found at the site were atrocious, yet still they soldiered on. Mateship, standing by their friends and comrades, through thick and thin and all hardships and pleasures. I have said before that although I've never served, I respect what the ANZAC represents, these attributes and also in particular the statement "Lest We Forget". To me, this means that we should never wish to make war, lest we forget the sacrifice of those who have gone before. War is such a terrible thing.

Today I took my eldest boys to watch the 10:00am march in the city centre. We watched the F-18's fly over, and sat amongst the many onlookers watching past and present servicemen parade. We also went to the ANZAC Memorial at ANZAC Square. There were representatives from Army, Navy and Airforce, along with horses and various military vehicles. It was easy to applaud these dedicated men and woman whose service means so much to our country. I am amazed at how much pride I feel watching these people enjoy and be lauded for their efforts. All are there to recognise and remember the fallen.


The Ode of Remembrance states this best.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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