Monday, 25 April 2016

Anzac Day 25th April

ANZAC DAY 25th APRIL

 

Anzac day service, Anzac Day - 25 April - is probably Australia & New Zealand’s most important national occasion.

 

©iStock.com/Artist’sMillefloreimages 

(image courtesy of istock.com artist name MillefloreImages

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. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

 

What does it mean today ?

 

Australians recognise 25 April as an occasion of national commemoration. Commemorative services are held at dawn, tet and join in marches through the major cities anhe time of the original landing, across the nation. Later in the day ex-servicemen and women med many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are held at war memorials around the country. It is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war

 

Anzac Australian Day

ANZAC is the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the formation created in December 1914 by grouping the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force stationed in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant-General William Birdwood. Initially the term 'Australasian Corps' had been mooted for this force, but there was a reluctance among both Australians and New Zealanders to lose their separate identities completely.

 

Those heroes that shed their blood

And lost their lives

You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country

Therefore, rest in peace

There is no difference between the Johnnies

And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side

Here in this country of ours

You, the mothers

Who sent their sons from far away countries

Wipe away your tears

Your sons are now lying in our bosom

And are in peace

After having lost their lives on this land, they have

Become our sons as well

Posted by David Martin on Monday, 25 April 2016 09:31