Today is Anzac Day

April 25th is a day of remembrance for the fallen of all wars, but specifically it commemorates the day Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) landed at Gallipoli in 1915.

The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. 

Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand. 

Last year I was in Australia for Anzac Day and this year New Zealand

It’s a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same national day, but making reference to both countries in its name.

Mum and I decided to get up early and attend the dawn service being held here in Taupo.

Every town and city in Australia and New Zealand commemorates Anzac day with either a dawn service and or parade

I haven’t attended an Anzac day service since I was in school and I’m glad mum suggested it. 

Mum’s dad, my Pop, still marches in the parade every year back in Perth

Every year there’s a few less digger’s like him from World War 2, and I’m so proud that he continues to march on 

For those of you in the US, Anzac day would be comparable to your Memorial Day in May.

For the English, Remembrance Day in November

I was actually surprised at just how many people turned out this morning. 

People of all ages, from all walks of life.

It’s so important that days like Anzac Day will always be commemorated

We are very lucky to have the freedoms that we do

 

 

 

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

 

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 at 6:27 am and is filed under travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.