Lest we forget.

ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Today Australians remember the ANZACs. We remember the blood, sweat, tears, innocence and lives lost in war. All for the purpose of preserving the way of life important to all Australians. The Brittish fight for the love of their Monarchy, the Americans fight for the love of their country, the Russians fight for duty to the 'motherland', Australins fight because we won't let our mates die for nothing. We won't let a mate down. We won't leave a mate stranded. We remember their sacrifice for our freedoms, LEST WE FORGET.

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the 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 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

Australians recognise 25 April as an occasion of national commemoration. ANZACs have come to represent more than the fallen Australian and New Zealand soldiers, they represent the very essence of what we hold dear as Australians, the ANZAC spirit is the Australian spirit.
Sacrifice for mates in the face of hardship. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Commemorative services are held at dawn, the time of the original landing, across the nation. Later in the day ex-servicemen and women meet and join in marches through the major cities and many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are held at war memorials around the country. It is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war. Once all the official ceremonies are done, the old diggers and servicemen head to the local Pub or RSL (Returned and Services League) Club for a few stories, beers and the all important Two-up, ANZAC day is the only day in Australia where gambling over Two-up is legal, even without a Gameing Licence.

This year for the first time the decendants of Turkish soldiers are permitted and encouraged to officially take part in ANZAC day ceremonies, the only enemy we have fought who is allowed to do so. This is to commemorate the sacrifice made by the Turks and also because they were enemies the battle at Gallipoli was fought without malice or torture, without animosity other than facing an enemy bravely.

The Following poem is read at all ANZAC srevices no matter where they are held all around Australia, Australian embasies in foreign countries, or at Gallipol and the Kakoda Trail in Papua New Guinea fought over in the Second World War. The highlighted portion is most famous and known as "The Ode".

For The Fallen - Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

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)

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

LEST WE FORGET.