Today was a special day of remembrance downunder: Anzac Day.
By bernieh
22 comments
Today was a special day here in Oz and I thought I would share with you why it is so special.
Anzac Day is Australia’s most important national occasion … a day of commemoration for the whole country. It marks the anniversary of the very first major military action fought by both Australian and New Zealand troops during the First Word War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
The Australian and New Zealand forces landed at Gallipoli on 25th of April, 1915, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months.
At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed.
Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left both countries with a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations.
The 25th of April was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916. It has remained the day on which we remember the sacrifice of all those who have died in the defence of our country.
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.
The following photos were taken here in my city today.
The day’s commemoration starts with a solemn dawn service …
followed by a street march …
and then people meet up for family BBQ’s or at a Pub for lunch. The old ‘diggers’ and army personnel have their own special celebrations … mostly at RSL (Returned Soldiers League) clubs.
This day has a special meaning for so many people … including my husband and I as our son has served as a medic in the Australian army … but also at my school there are many, many Army families. So many of our students have mothers, father, aunts, uncles who are currently serving over in Afghanistan right now. We remember them daily in our prayers.
The following is a short video tribute put together by one of our local newspaper reporters:
A tribute to our Aussie troops serving in Afghanistan
25 Apr, 2010
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Comments
Good blog, Bernie.
25 Apr, 2010
Thank you Bernie,some things never change. Thank you to all our armed services,but hopefully one day we will all learn to live together peacefully.
25 Apr, 2010
thankyou for reminding us Bernieh,
25 Apr, 2010
I learnt something new again today thanks Bernieh
25 Apr, 2010
Great blog, we have Austrailan exchange officers at work and of course they celebrated.
25 Apr, 2010
AMEN. We will remember them.
25 Apr, 2010
Thankyou for sharing a very special Australian day with us.
25 Apr, 2010
interesting and thought provoking blog bernieh.
25 Apr, 2010
very interesting Bernieh. my son who is in NZAF parades in Auckland and the schools etc also march, as it is a school holiday.
I always think that you are more patriotic than we are in the UK and admire you for it.
25 Apr, 2010
Thank you Bernie for such an interesting blog. I think the first photo has captured the atmosphere of the day perfectly.
25 Apr, 2010
Thanks Bernieh...some things are more important than plants eh? I join you in prayer for those who are fighting for us, especially for those in Afghanistan, and for their families - particularly for all the Mums of brave young men out there.....
25 Apr, 2010
Thank you for sharing this what a wonderful day great to remember those that fought for us all.
26 Apr, 2010
Thanks, Bernieh, for this lovely blog. It's good to know that the fallen are still remembered. Your day "down under" is similar to the Remembrance Day we celebrate here in the UK in November. There all the nations that took part in the war are represented, except the "Enemy". Though you would think that 60 years later they would be invited to take part as well to show that Man is now more "civilized" after the two great conflicts.
27 Apr, 2010
We have a special reason for remembering the WW11 ANZACs because my husband was a junior radio officer on the Dunera taking them home after the conflict. One of his tasks was to act as a DJ and make sure they were kept entertained with music and films of the day. He often talks about it. Thank you for sharing this with us.
28 Apr, 2010
Thanks all for your thoughts and comments ... whilst this day's significance waned rather a lot shortly after the Vietnam War, today we are getting record attendances all over the country. People are once more realising the significance of the sacrifices of these young men and women.
30 Apr, 2010
I am also with you Bernieh in your prayers.
21 Jun, 2010
Thanks Camillia ... oh for the days when war never becomes a way to solve conflict.
21 Jun, 2010
It should and it can never.My country has also seen a lots of blood and tears in the past,during Maiost Insurgency.Many people lost their lives.Many have become homeless.The traces of war is still present everywhere.It has left people hope less both physically and mentally.
21 Jun, 2010
We have just received news here in Oz that three more of our Aussie soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan ... the number keeps rising.
The city I live in is a the location of an Army base ... one of the biggest in the northern part of our country. Lots of children at my school have parents in the Armed Forces and there's quite a few of them over in Afghanistan now ... it's hard on all the family members back home when news like this comes through on the TV.
My son, was an Army Medic until quite recently, and actually knew the soldiers killed last week ... they were stationed down in Brisbane where he worked in the hospital. Whilst they were not close ... it really brings it home just what a waste it really is!!
21 Jun, 2010
I think that we all feel the same Bernieh, it seem hardly a day goes by without the losses rising......
21 Jun, 2010
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Thank you for sharing Anzac day of commerations with us all. I will say a prayer for all the soldiers and their families past and present and thank you and many like you who have sacrificed much more than we will ever know.My prayers and blessings with you all......Gina and Nico...
25 Apr, 2010