Anzac Day tomorrow 25th April

Warrigal

Warrigal

SF VIP
Location
Sydney, Australia
A solemn Day in Australia, commemorating the landing at Gallipoli (Türkiye) in 1915, honouring the lives lost there and in every overseas war since then.

Dawn services will be held in in every capital city, in country towns in every state, and at significant overseas locations such as Gallipoli
and Villers-Bretonneux (France).

My Grandfather was an ANZAC and served in Palestine in WW I in the Australian Light Horse. My father and three of his brothers enlisted for WW II. Only two of them came home. One of my uncles is buried in a war cemetery in Nigeria; another lies in a war cemetery in Singapore. My dad served in New Guinea and his youngest brother was in Darwin with the RAAF when the Japanese dropped more bombs there than fell on Pearl Harbour. To me, Anzac Day is a sad day when we pause to remember the fallen and all those who came home broken in body and mind.
 
Any and all men and women that gave their life to defend, protect or aid other countries are heroes. I’m glad not every young man got to fight in a war, although I believe that had they served in the military, we would be a better country.

War is hell. That part is true. It takes a lot of bravery to face the enemy, especially when it becomes a kill or be killed situation. Instinct takes over because we want to live. It’s not fun killing another person, but there is no choice.
 
@Warrigal, just a few minutes before I read your post, I sent a corrected email to my Australian pen pal. This person, too, has WWI (and WWII) veterans in their family. A few hours earlier, I had wished them a "happy ANZAC Day" and then wrote to modify that phrasing to something a little more somber and appropriate.

I'm hoping, given the time difference, they will get both emails at once, before the day begins.
 
Lara said:
Aww, hugs Warrigal, this truly is sad 😥🙏 They were brave men with good hearts serving their country.
Click to expand...
Being of British descent, they were primarily serving the Empire in 1915. Every man who enlisted was a volunteer. The Australian government of the day tried to legislate for conscription but the voters refused to support that.

In both world wars, as soon as Britain declared war, the Australian government followed suit. After the second world war we did the same in Korea and Vietnam but on these occasions we were quick to join US. Not sure about Korea but we definitely had conscription during WW II and Vietnam.

I just checked conscription for Korea and found this -

Australia did not introduce conscription for the Korean War even though this commitment required almost all of Australia’s regular infantry troops.
 
 
jujube said:
I was in Gallipoli in 2015 for the 100th anniversary celebrations. It is a beautiful and very moving place to pray that nothing like this happens again.

There is a memorial with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's words:

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives, you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well."
Click to expand...
Yes, Hubby and I visited Gallipoli in 2000 and read those same words.

Ata Turk was a gifted leader and a visionary. Too bad that the current leader is nothing like him.
 
Warrigal said:
Yes, Hubby and I visited Gallipoli in 2000 and read those same words.

Ata Turk was a gifted leader and a visionary. Too bad that the current leader is nothing like him.
Click to expand...
Amen, sister! Ataturk was a tortured person, but a leader that Turkiye needed at the time. He did some bad things but he did bring "The Sick Man of Europe" into the 20th Century. He was also a feminist and greatly improved the rights of women in Turkiye. My daughter was actually born in Ankara on the anniversary of his death, but that's another story.
 
Last edited:
Here is the Anzac Day message posted by my church today

Revesby Uniting Church​

On ANZAC Day, we remember.
We remember those who served: their courage, their sacrifice, their humanity. Many carried the weight of war long after the fighting stopped, in bodies and minds shaped by what they witnessed and what they did.
We remember those caught in the path of war: civilians, families, communities torn apart. Those who did not choose the conflict but bore its consequences all the same.
We remember that war leaves no one untouched. It shapes nations, distorts generations, and asks ordinary people to do and endure extraordinary things.
And in the middle of all that weight, we hold on to hope. For peace. For one another.
Lest we forget.
🌿
Click to expand...
Amen to that.
 
Beautiful words Warrigal honouring your family. Although our family arrived in Australia in 1946 my father always attended
the Anzac marches and when he retired, he used to lead the choir at our local Anzac RSL Club at the dawn service. My son
also plays bugle at a local school at their Anzac Day ceremonies. Reveille which is a military bugle call played at sunrise and the
Last Post to honor the fallen soldiers - marking the end of their service and to Rest in Peace. What moving ceremonies, and also
brings a tear to my eyes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top