ANZAC Day, the 25th of April, has been described as 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.
While the date is aligned with that event in the First World War, the day is a remembrance of all those who have been to war to protect our freedom.
My parents served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. (That’s my dad in the picture.)
War is a terrible thing but I am grateful for the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our country. I shudder when I imagine what it would be like to face a hostile enemy, knowing that any moment could be my last. I would hate to have to go to war. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to say goodbye to my loved ones, not knowing if I’d ever see them again. Having kids of my own, I don’t even want to think about the parents that have seen their children go to war.
ANZAC Day isn’t about glorifying war, it’s about paying our respects to those who put their lives on the line for their countrymen and the generations to come.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Technorati Tags: ANZAC – ANZAC Day – War
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You certainly are a chip off the old block. The fact that we can’t imagine the sacrifice, or what was endured, and that we don’t know how we’d behave in similar circumstances is a really important reason for remembrance.
Always the student: in my history classes here in the US (years ago!), I don’t recall ever learning of Australia’s involvement in WWI. I’ve just come back to your blog from reading several pages online regarding this. It’s amazing how limited our teaching really was.
I appreciate what so many people did for us – risking or sacrificing their lives for their countries, their families, their beliefs, our future.
I knew that was your dad right off!
I am grateful for your parents and for my dad who also served in WWII. I’ve shared a pic of my dad in uniform on my blog too – it’s something to be proud of.
Enjoy your holiday.
I can tell too that’s your dad!! You look a like.
Hey, so did my hubby’s dad, he served in WW II as well!! He unfortunately passed away in 2002 but mum-in-law is still going strong at 81 and live in the RAAF retirement village in Merriwa.