Anzac Day

Today is a very important day for all Australian's it is Anzac Day, for as far back as I can remember when in Australia we would always attend the dawn service, which was the original landing time of the ANZAC in Galliopi. Even when I was in my 20+ era, the bars and night clubs would close at midnight out of respect and we would go and begin to wait with the hundreds of other Australian's to pay our respect for the fallen diggers from yesteryear to today.

For non Australians Anzac Day, a brief history lesson. When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. the new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the national of the world. In 1915 Australia and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. the ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

Ari Burnu (ANZAC Cove), showing the landing boats. Image courtesy of the Department of Veterans Affairs

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on the 25th April, 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 Australia soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.

1st Australian Division near Broodseinde, Belgium. Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial

As you may have noted the campaign did fail in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left Australians a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the "ANZAC legend" (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) became and important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

I do not agree with war and always pray that all parties will try to find an alternative to such actions. In saying that I do, each day, thank god for the men and women who take the call and serve in the armed forces and protect the freedom I have as an Australian. To all those men and women who never returned home whilst fighting for my freedom I thank you. I also give thanks to your families and loved ones for there unconditional love to allow you to go and fight for our freedom, knowing you may not return these people are also heros in my heart.

LEST WE FORGET