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.
ANZAC day is very special as it commemorates the fateful landing of the men from Australia and New Zealand at ANZAC cove on the 25th April 1915.
Many people will this year attend dawn services throughout Australia; however, many others in Australia will think of the day accepting it as just another holiday. But ANZAC day is not just another holiday, nor is it a day set aside to celebrate war and all the dreadful things it involves.
ANZAC day is a day of commemoration, to say 'thank you' and to honour all soldiers, from all wars, who have fought, and more importantly died, for Australia, for it is these men and womens' sacrifices that allow us to live in a comfortable home and have the opportunity we have.
Many people ask why it is that we use the day the ANZAC's landed on the Gallipoli peninsula at the start of a lost campaign to commemorate the people involved in fighting for the Australians' beliefs. Why is it not that we use the day the war ended or perhaps the day a great battle was won? Why commemorate a defeat?
The answer is that Australia is different, indeed Australians are different because of ANZAC. Before the Gallipoli campaign, Australians, who had an enthusiasm for Australia, had a greater patriotism for the old country, England. That is to say that they still accepted England as home even though they lived in Australia. When Australians were called in 1915 to fight, they enlisted partly for a sense of adventure and partly because the empire needed them. The Australians were, however, an untried force which the British thought to be unruly and undisciplined. It was at ANZAC that the reputation started of the Australian soldiers as being tough men, men who could endure, men who could go on fighting, no matter what. It was ANZAC that it was seen that the Australians, even if beaten, were great fighters and their loss was not due to lack of courage, stamina or spirit. It was at ANZAC that the legend of the Australian soldier was born and Australia was seen, not just as another country in the British Empire, but as a country in its own right.
It is therefore a good day, a special day for you and all Australians to say 'thank you' to people who have given us all so much.
I am sure that most of you know the story of Simpson and his donkey; but for those of you who don't, Simpson was an Australian soldier at Gallipoli who, with his donkey, Murphy, unselfishly helped the wounded from the area where there was fighting to ANZAC cove and safety. Having saved countless soldiers this, he was eventually killed. It is important that all of us think about Simpson and is unselfish work because it is Simpson and thousands of others who have unselfishly given their time and lives for us that we commemorate ANZAC day.
So, don't just think that it is just another holiday, remember that it is a very special day. A special day when all Australians should say 'thank you' to all those men and women who have fought and died to allow you to have your choice in a country that is free.
ANZAC is indeed a special day. Lest we forget.
