My ANZAC Post

I was going to write a rather lenghty post on the history of the ANZAC until this morning. Those of you who seen the Sydney Dawn Service saw how cold and wet she was (this not detering some 12 thousand Aussies showing up) and I saw something rather warming so I decided to write about this moment instead. Also I would like to add, that I had several links to some rather moving songs however they have already neen posted in this sub forum.

I hope you enjoy it.

Dear my fellow forum members.

Today we mark the 92nd anniversary of soldiers from Australian, New Zealand and other commonwealth countries landing along the Gallipoli peninsula. This day marks the birth of a great struggle and ultimately the legend of the ANZAC.

I write to you today not to inform of their incredible amounts of Valor and mateship that where shown during the nine month campaign (or all other conflicts for that matter) as to put them into words would require lengths of paper and one can never really write how brave and heroic our boys are. I write to you to tell you why I shed a tear every April 25.

This morning like every other year when I can, like so many other Australians both young and old; I went to the dawn service in Sydney. Through the cold breeze rushing through he square, the catafalque guards standing firm in the dark and the iconic statue of the Digger and the Sailor,. I noticed something that makes me so happy, so proud to be an Australian and fill with warmth on this cold morn. I saw a young child, no older than five sitting on her grand father?s knee. Bright eyed and awake the youngster watch eagerly as the service progressed. She didn?t quite know the meaning of why her grandfather was crying quietly or why we lay the flowers at the foot of the catafalque but she knew that it was special. With her grandfather (a Veteran of the Second World War) weeping quietly to himself, she turned around and gave the most warming hug I ever saw.

Now you may ask, but why is this special; all it is a young girl hugging her grandfather. It is special because in a way that is not direct to me or you; but to him; the Digger of days gone past. That hug, that hug of love and admiration on a cold Sydney morning said thankyou in so many ways words can?t, regardless of the young girl?s knowledge of her grandfather?s service, that hug was what he needed, that hug was the loving spirit of the ANZAC. Still you might think, but a hug between a grandfather and his granddaughter is an everyday occurrence and how does relate to ANZAC Day. What I saw in that hug, the expressions by the grandfather and the reaction of his kin was the spirit of the ANZAC, the spirit of helping your mates, the spirit of every Aussie helping each other out in time of need.

ANZAC Day is the true national day of celebration that surpasses all other. ANZAC Day is a day when all politics and personal squabbles and problems get put aside as we are in the presence of greatness. Who can not love and be proud of a day when regardless of who you are or where you are from; you become nothing more than a mere mortal in the presence of the legend of ANZAC Digger. Today is when we are truly a nation, when we are truly one great nation brought together to honour the nations pride.

No words or expression can begin to tell the pride and love I have for my country and those who serve this April 25. The world may be a darker place some ninety-two years after those lads, some of which where only the age of a cadet landed at Gallipoli but we still have one light, one light that forgoes any religion or beliefs, the light of the ANZAC. That light does not only shines on April 25, but it glows in the hearts of every Australian every minute of every day and in everything we do.

Before I finish, I want to share another reason why I shed a tear. I shed a tear for those who never came home, who gave their youth and the life so that we may walk the streets a free man. I shed a tear for those who endured the hardships of these great struggles; I shed a tear for the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles who lost and suffered the strains of a loved one in the service. I shed a tear for a nation, a quiet nation all the way down under, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the world that was rocked by the horrors of war.

We are here today because brave men, some boys stood up to be counted when their country needed them. We are here today because men gave their lives for us; their gift to the world was the freedom that we breathe each and everyday.

To those who serve past, present and future from the bottom of my heart and the heart of all Australians and our allies; thank you.

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.
Lest We Forget

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