25th April - ANZAC Day

'Lest We Forget'

Today is Easter Monday, but being 25th April it is also ANZAC Day, one of Australia's most Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.  . It is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operation ofs. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. On ANZAC day, ceremonies are held in towns and cities across the nation to acknowledge the service of our veterans.

Rosemary, which is an emblem of both fidelity and remembrance in literature and folklores is worn by many as a sign of remembrance on both ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day (Nov 11th).  Rosemary has a particular significance because it grows on Gallipoli,Peninsula, where the Australian and New Zealand action became an important part of the identity of both nations, and gave rise to the ANZAC story.

For me it is a day that brings sadness.  I miss my father, and as I watch the march here in Sydney I see my Dad's division dwindle year by year.  My brother marches in his memory now, and this year there were only three of the diggers from his section able to march.  Time has taken its toll on the 6th Division.  My Dad was a '39-er', signing up right at the beginning of WWII and sailing off with the first lot of soldiers.  He served in the Middle East and was taken prisoner in Greece.  When he was liberated after 3 1/2 years in  prison camps in Germany and Austria he and the other Aussies and Kiwis were not sent home but were taken to England for medical treatment and to strengthen them up a bit for the trip home.  Then they were allowed leave in the UK.  My Dad visited relatives in Scotland and they make every effort to fatten him up.  As a result when he arrived home he had put on weight and now topped the scales at the grand total of 6 1/2 stone!  He died when I was just 24, from the effects of being POW.

'They shall not grow 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.'