This morning I would like to talk about how I see ANZAC Day.
To me as a returned soldier I find that the day represents to me and the men and women of my time the following three things.
Why do we commemorate ANZAC day.
What does the name mean to me and the current ADF personnel?
The nature of the ANZAC legacy.
Let’s talk about where it started. When the troops landed at Gallipoli in 1915 I think how glad I was not there to face what those brave men did. I can only think in awe what they must have gone through at Gallipoli which was the first major battle we Australians fought as a nation... Even though we had been in other conflicts the federation of states came together to fight that war. Gallipoli lasted eight and a half months. In that time 7,600 Australians and 2,500 New Zealanders were killed. After Gallipoli, Australians won many famous battles in France, Flanders and Palestine in that Great War. We have fought in many wars since WW2, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
My second point about ANZAC concerns the very term, ANZAC day. If you think about it, ANZAC is not a battle, and ANZAC is not a place, ANZAC is a collective noun for a group of people. Thus ANZAC day gives us as a nation the opportunity to think as individuals, ordinary Australians serving the nation in times when we as a democracy have seen our land or interests threatened in such a degree that is as been necessary for us to go to war.
We think of all those who have served. We salute their fellowship and courage. We think of the families, those who stayed behind... They have to battle their own problems in the tough times when their husbands, wife or partners are in the area of conflict. We salute their endurance and strength. We think of past prisoners and wounded and those who suffer today. Above all, on ANZAC day, we honour those who died for us and the nation and for our peace.
But what of the ANZAC legacy? This day ANZAC is for the people and the way in which we mark it. It is not a day of military parades or power. It is a day of gatherings of veterans, or reunions, of services, of community involvement, of reflection and honouring our fallen.
If we do celebrate anything on ANZAC day it is the legacy that those who fought at ANZAC gave us, and those who followed them which strengthened and enriched in the face of adversity, the ANZAC‘s demonstrated beyond any doubt the necessary military virtues of duty, courage, teamwork, resolution and above all self-sacrifice.
The ANZAC’s added to this their own unique qualities several things of their own, mateship, trust, a discipline based on earned respect and not assumed worth, initiative, resourcefulness, humour and, what is often forgotten, a respect for the courage and capability of friend and foe alike. The excellent and unique reputation surrounding ANZAC survives even today in all our armed forces.
ANZAC day is a great Australian and New Zealand tradition. It is celebrated over two nations where ever both countries serve overseas. It is our day- a day to remember with affection the courage of people and the value of friendship- to honour the dead and to acknowledge those who suffer still from the effects of war.
Please today at this special occasion remember our current ADF personnel wish them well and their families. Some of those people standing with you today will be returning overseas soon so have them in your prayers and wish them god speed.
Remember we do not celebrate victory or glorify war- we celebrate the human spirit-the spirit of ANZAC.