April 25, 2005
ANZAC
Yesterday was ANZAC Day. Click here to see photos of the memorial services.
I got up at 5:00 in the morning to go to a dawn service. I was amazed to see thousands of people when I got there. Not only veterans, but families, little kids, dogs, and teenagers. It was so crowded I couldn’t see the parade or the beach on the other side. ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC day is a time to honor the soldiers who died to keep this land peaceful. It is a bit like Memorial Day in the US, but much more solemn.
This ANZAC Day was a special one, because it commemorates the 90th Anniversary of the battle at Gallipoli. For Australians and New Zealanders, Gallipoli was the first battle they fought after their independence. It is hugely symbollic in both countries and still remembered by all. Both countries, with relatively small populations, lost enormous numbers of young men in this battle.
Going to ANZAC day services as an outsider, I did not expect to be hugely impacted by the services. But seeing all of those people there to honor the departed soldiers who died 90 years ago, hearing the stories passed down by fathers and grandfathers, seeing the tears on the faces of teenagers and the absolute silence as the shots rang out to honor the dead changed my mind. As the sun began to rise over the beach as I walked home, I began to remember the sacrifices of my grandfather’s generation, the many people I didn’t know who died so I could live without fear. I rememberd the acquaintance who died in Iraq last year. And I remembered the soldier’s words that were quoted in the message.
Remember tomorrow the sacrifices we made today. We gave our today so you could have a tomorrow.
Posted by at 5:50 pm
