Lest We Forget: The Spirit of ANZAC (#310)

Every year on April 25th, Australians and New Zealanders come together to commemorate ANZAC Day, a solemn occasion that honors the bravery and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who fought at Gallipoli during World War I, as well as all those who have served and died in military operations since.

ANZAC Day is more than a date; it is a deep expression of national pride, reflection, and gratitude. The dawn services, marches, and commemorative ceremonies are acts of remembrance that bring communities together to reflect on the values of courage, mateship, and endurance that the ANZACs embodied.

The Gallipoli campaign began at dawn on April 25th, 1915, when ANZAC troops landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. The soldiers faced fierce resistance from the Ottoman defenders, and what was expected to be a swift campaign turned into a grueling eight-month battle. More than 8,000 Australian and over 2,700 New Zealand soldiers lost their lives in the campaign. Despite the hardships and eventual evacuation, the ANZACs' bravery left a lasting legacy.

At the heart of many ceremonies is a recitation of the "Ode of Remembrance," a stanza from the poem For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon. These poignant lines have become synonymous with ANZAC Day and are a powerful reminder of the cost of war:

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.

We will remember them.

These words stir the soul, evoking a timeless bond between the past and present. As the sun rises on ANZAC Day, people across both nations stand in silence, united in remembrance.

ANZAC Day is not only about remembering the fallen; it is also about honoring the spirit that continues to define the Australian and New Zealand character. It's a day when the silence says more than words ever could and when history is not only recalled but felt.

Communities mark the day with a variety of traditions, from laying wreaths at war memorials to sharing stories of ancestors who served. Schools educate younger generations about the meaning of ANZAC Day, ensuring that the legacy endures. In recent years, more people, especially younger Australians and New Zealanders, have attended dawn services, demonstrating the enduring relevance of this day.

Let us carry forward the legacy of the ANZACs with humility and respect, and never forget those who gave so much for the freedom we enjoy today.

Lest we forget.

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