Friday 25 April 2008

ANZAC Day............

As I sit here and write this post I have been watching the TV and the Dawn Service at Currumbin in QLD.

Today is a national holiday for all Australians. It is a day to remember all our service men and women who have fought for the freedom that we enjoy in Australia.
We live in the luckiest country in the world.

(photo from the RSL Site)

ANZAC Day is the day Australians remember the original landing on Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula 25 April 1915 in Turkey. Many make a pilgrimage to this area for the service. I know a friends daughter will be there this year and some students from the local High School will also be at ANZAC Cove in Turkey.

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.

Services are held in every city, town and village in the country where the services of all our service men and women are recognised. In my town like most the school children march with there school and the diggers. It is a day to be proud. These services continue to grow every year and testifies to ANZAC Day’s significance for all Australians.

ANZAC - Australia and New Zealand Army Corps
You can read more info here on the RSL site.
The Ode

A veteran reads this during the service on ANZAC day.

This is the verse of the ode that is said during the minutes of silence on Anzac Day:



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

7 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

Thank you for telling a non-Aussie what ANZAC day is. I hope it's proper to say Happy ANZAC Day.

Jenny said...

It is always such an emotional day. I have a friend who is visiting Gallipoli right now. I still think we are the lucky country.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Great tribute....yeah we do live in the luckiest country...I am proud to be an Aussie....
7 sleeps....

Claudia said...

Also here in Italy today is a national holiday. in 25 april 1945the Italians fought to drive out from Italy the Nazi. We celebrate the freedom, too.
I'd like to come to visit your country.
Claudia

Unknown said...

We also have that poem at our Remembrance services on or around 11th November - it always brings a lump to my throat as we repeat the line 'We will remember them'

Leanne said...

ANZAC day is always a thought provoking day. Lets hope we have leant from the past.

Grazia said...

I hope you had a good Anzac Day Donna....
Ciao
Grazia