Lest We Forget, ANZAC Day 2009

Saturday was ANZAC Day in both Australia and New Zealand.  Across Australia Aussies remembered the ANZAC soldiers of World War I along with other Australian soldiers of the past and today. ANZAC stands for the Australian New Zealand Army Corps that was formed in response to the British Empire’s request for troops to fight in World War I. The ANZAC’s most memorable battle was on the shores of Gallipoli in modern day Turkey where the Australians took massive losses in the blundered attack. However, the shared suffering and bravery of the attack resignates with the Australian character of mateship and is thus remembered on ANZAC Day.

Australian and New Zealand soldiers stand guard during the dawn service at Anzac Cove. Photo: Reuters

During ANZAC Day services that begin at dawn Australians recite the ANZAC oath that they appear to remember just like we remember the Pledge of Allegiance in America:

They shall grow not old as we 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.

If in Australia I highly recommend attending a ANZAC Day service because it really is one of the most important holidays of the year for Australians and their commemoration of their past military veterans is far superior to the Veteran’s and Memorial Day holidays we have here in the US where people just think of them as an extra day off. 

Anyway, the Herald-Sun has a great ANZAC Day tribute with plenty of pictures and videos of Australia’s military past and present that I highly recommend everyone check out.