Anzac Day 25/ April 2022 – A reflection:
Mike Weber MMM – Veteran South Africa Angola War
As I reflect on Anzac Day just past and what it means to the average Australian and mostly to the military veterans, I realise that so many people do not actually appreciate what Anzac Day is all about and are inclined to just take it at face value, this includes many veterans. So let me start with a bit of history
- Anzac Day is a National Day of Remembrance in Australia & New Zealand
- It broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and dies in all wars, conflicts & peacekeeping operations” as well as “the contributions and suffering of all those that served”
- It is a National Day of Remembrance (Public Holiday), of the first landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli -1915
- Observances: Dawn services, Commemorative marches, wreath laying and remembrance services that can be held anywhere
- Reason for landing at Gallipoli – i) Capture the Dardanelles ii) Open the sea route to the Bosphorus & Black Sea
- Result: End of conflict – it was still held by its Ottoman Turkish defenders
- Fact: There is no town called Gallipoli. It is actually the area where the Anzacs fought
- A positive result from the conflict was the Anzac Biscuits, that we still love to have to this day. In actual fact, the biscuit company, Arnott’s recently did an evaluation on some Anzac biscuits that were preserved from that time and it was still edible……….go figure!
On the day…. what happens physically
- Starts with a dawn service held at the Shrine of Remembrance @ 5: 30 AM. This is now live streamed on TV
- The actual march starts at 09:00 AM on Princes Bridge and leads down St Kilda Road to the Shrine. Ends roughly between 11:30-AM- 12:05 PM
- A commemorative service is held at the Shrine at the conclusion of the days march.
- The march consists of all veterans or descendants or families of veterans of ANZ Forces as well as those of Commonwealth and Allied Forces. Schools, Scouts / Girl Guides, school bands, military and bagpipe bands. These form a big part of the whole experience.
Personal Thoughts:
- As you as a veteran start the march and during it, various thoughts go through your mind
- You feel humble
- You remember those you served with
- You think about those that fought with you and that had paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives
- You feel pride in the knowledge that in participating in the march, you are doing so in their memory
- Many, many thoughts go through your mind as you march that long walk
- The humble feeling you get when total strangers standing on the side of the road clap and spontaneously thank you out loud for your service and self-offeri
ng - You are grateful that you made it alive
- Yet feel guilty that you made it out and they didn’t
- Some visions of the war pass through your thoughts and it seems like only yesterday that it happened.
- You feel grateful to those men and women that sacrificed it all for you so you can live in peace and freedom
- You feel angry that the world still doesn’t learn that conflicts are only a short resolution ill the next killing starts
- You feel fellowship with those around you – known or strangers
- You feel an incredible sense of mateship with your fellow veterans marching with you
- You feel comradeship in knowing your fellow veterans went through the same as you did and they also know the loneliness, fear, homesickness, longing for your loved ones, as well as the brutal ravages of war and the atrocities you saw and experienced and you know you will never forget those visions and memories
Conclusion
- May we as a nation always remember them
- May we never forget
- May we honour their memories
- May we know the true meaning of ANZAC DAY!!!
“The Ode to The Fallen”
“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”
LEST WE FORGET