a month of posts - day twentyfive

Today is Anzac Day. This day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI and is one of the most important occasions here in Australia. ANZAC is the acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. Not being an Aussie, this day never seemed to matter to me... it was just another public holiday... until this year. I guess it was the realisation that one of my good friends is a pilot with the air force and knowing he has to protect the country and risk his life in doing so is very daunting... plus listening to the Hamish and Andy radio show last week as the two radio DJs went to Afghanistan to do their weekly show with the troops stationed there, it highlighted what the defence force was doing there etc. Hmm I'm pretty sure there are many other factors that made me feel more strongly connected with the significance of Anzac Day ie knowing some of my friends have grandparents who served in WWII, the tributes on television, the war veterans and returning servicemen who paraded before the AFL matches today, anzac biscuits, etc. I reckon it's great that the nation gets to reflect on what people have done in the past and honour them for it.

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 - The Ode