On 25 April each year is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contrbution and suffering of all who have served. It was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli campaign, their first engagement in the WW1 (1914-1918).
The day is commenorated throughout Australia and NZ with a dawn service, parades with Military units and bands. A number of speeches and the laying of wreaths at centatarf's. Following which current military and retired military often meet up with colleagues for lunch.
The Red Poppy is warn on this day in memory of those who have lost their life in the service of our country and in the opening lines of the WW1 poem " In Flanders Fields" written by a Canadian physician John Mc Crae on 3 May 1915, after witnessing the death of his friend and fellow soldier the day before. There is a reference to poppies growing among the graves of war victims in a region of Belgium.
ANZAC Day this year was very different owing to COVID -19. There were no parades and all Services held around the country were televised. Canberra, our Nations Capital streamed live from the War Memoral and at the Tomb of the Unknow Soldier wreaths were layed in memory of our fallen.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Stained glass window in the War Memorial represents the Soldier and the Nurse.
The Chief of the Australian Defence Force lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Lest we Forget.
There were speeches by the Prime Minister, any several others. This is Sharon Brown, a retired Royal Australian Airforce Nursing Officer who escaped death following a helicopter crash in East Timor. Following the crash she was to be medically discharged however, she was a real fighter and finally after lots of surgeries, physiotherapy she was able to complete her fitness test so she was allowed to continue to serve. She has written a couple of books and works closely with the staff from the War Memorial. She is married with a couple of young boys and her husband continues to serve in the Army.
This young lady represented Legacy. Legacy is an Australian non- profit organization established in 1923 by ex-service men. Its aim is of caring for the dependants of deceased Australian service men and women. The dependents of WW1, WW11,the Korean War, Malayan Emergency, and Vietnam War are cared for.
This chap is speaking on behalf of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army (nicknamed "Salvos) is an evangelical Christian church know for its charity work. Its been operating in Australia since the late 19th centuary. Very often they deploy with the ADF in Australia.
We like so many Australians this year we met up with our neighbours at 6 am at the end of the driveway with lighted candles. We observed a minute silence, read the Ode and in the backgound following this we heard in the background someone in our street playing the Last Post. This was how Australia remembered those who had paid the supreme sacrifice and all who have severed and continue to serve. This was only the third time in the history of ANZAC Day that puplic attendence had been cancelled.
Those who have fought for our nation have given us the freedoms we enjoy today so whilst we could not be around large crowds it did not stop us from having lunch with dear friends. We observed the 1.5 m apart rule and sat at the 10 ft kitchen table. Our menue was very Australian. We had lamb chops with roasted tomotoes and asparagus marinated in orange zest and juice. Dessert was strawberry swirl pavalova's.
Our center piece was rosemary from our garden, a poppy from Canada and some army bits and peices from our service. Rosemary is traditionally worn on ANZAC Day and sometimes on Remembrance Day. For Australians it has particular signifigance as it is found growing wild on the Gallopoli Pennisular.
We put our our medals.
We remebered and our fathers who served in PNG and the Pacific during WW11.
Ross's father; RAAF, Moritie.
Beverley's father: Army.
AIF- PNG
Ross on Exercise 1970's.
Beverley in Rwanda 1994.
The Eternal Flame at the War Memoral.
Lest we Forget.
Whilst this was a different ANZAC Day it was perhaps one of the best as we were albe to remember those who have fought to keep us safe and spend time with those we love.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross
