Anzac Day 2015 – 100 years on.

One of the things I love about living in a small outback town, is the sense of community spirit.  Today, was one of those days where the pride of our community was on show with nearly two thirds of the whole town coming out for the dawn service for Anzac Day, 2015.  It’s been many years since the last Anzac passed away, but in the centenary of the first landing at Gallipolli, there is a sense of renewed pride and respect for those men and women that fought and died in all wars.  From Lone Pine and the actual beaches where the Australian and New Zealand forces made their ill fated landing, to the likes of my own town memorial, the outpouring of love and respect for the fallen is stronger than ever.  So many have relatives that have served our nation and its allies over the course of the last one hundred years, and there is a resounding sense of pride in the fact that in adversity, mateship shone through.

As Australians, we embrace the Anzac spirit for what it means.  We forged our identity as a nation…as a people.  Those that served will never be forgotten.

 

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.