Although it's fantastically exciting that today is a public holiday, it does bear remembering that it's there for a reason.
Firstly, an ANZAC was a soldier in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I. Over the past 91 years the term ANZAC has - for I am unable to say it any better myself - "bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy" that is a part of our national identity. The actual date of April 25th is commemorated because in 1915 it was the day of the Gallipoli landing, which quite frankly did not work out very well. There were to be 3 waves of troops (25,000 men) making the landing, securing the beach and gaining control of the high ground - which was absolutely essential for the success of the attack. They may have been able to do it too, except that they were landed more than a kilometre north of where they had planned, and the terrain was a nightmare. They landed at jagged, steep cliffs that couldn't be scaled and were ideal for concealing the Turkish snipers. The ANZAC troops lost contact with each other and never reached their objective. For eight months they stayed on in what is now known as Anzac Cove, making little progress, until both sides withdrew from the area.
The Australian War Memorial explains the ANZAC Spirit:
These days ANZAC Day honours all Australians who have died defending our country, and is a day when we should all remember to be thankful for their sacrifice.
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.
Firstly, an ANZAC was a soldier in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I. Over the past 91 years the term ANZAC has - for I am unable to say it any better myself - "bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy" that is a part of our national identity. The actual date of April 25th is commemorated because in 1915 it was the day of the Gallipoli landing, which quite frankly did not work out very well. There were to be 3 waves of troops (25,000 men) making the landing, securing the beach and gaining control of the high ground - which was absolutely essential for the success of the attack. They may have been able to do it too, except that they were landed more than a kilometre north of where they had planned, and the terrain was a nightmare. They landed at jagged, steep cliffs that couldn't be scaled and were ideal for concealing the Turkish snipers. The ANZAC troops lost contact with each other and never reached their objective. For eight months they stayed on in what is now known as Anzac Cove, making little progress, until both sides withdrew from the area.
The Australian War Memorial explains the ANZAC Spirit:
Although there was no military victory, the Australians displayed great courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and mateship. Such qualities came to be seen
as the ANZAC spirit.
Many saw the ANZAC spirit as having been born of egalitarianism and mutual support. According to the stereotype, the ANZAC rejected unnecessary restrictions, possessed a sardonic sense of humour, was contemptuous of danger, and proved himself the equal of anyone on the battlefield.
Australians still invoke the ANZAC spirit in times of conflict, danger and hardship.
These days ANZAC Day honours all Australians who have died defending our country, and is a day when we should all remember to be thankful for their sacrifice.
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.
2 Comments:
now I feel crappy for going to moreton bay yesterday.
i wouldn't, if i were you. i didn't attend any services or anything, and i'm the Aussie!
The way I look at it, we are celebrating the Australians who have died to defend our way of life, so to NOT do fun things on Anzac Day must be like a slap in the face for them. At least that's what helps me sleep after being so frivolous as to see a movie yesterday (and it wasn't even Kokoda).
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