Lest We Forget

by Gracie Crowley

ANZAC Day this year marks the 101th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landing at Gallipoli, and the battle that ensued. To a wide number of Australians it means a great deal, therefore warranting a degree of respect that seems rare in our times. There has always been a range of differing views on the subject of this historic day. Over the years ANZAC Day has faced speculation, criticism and a wide variety of suggestions that have tried to take away from the respectful and commemorative occasion that it is.

War is a horrible occurrence in our world, where unspeakable acts occur. Human beings are not meant to kill one another, and there are horrific physical and psychological injuries that live with the survivors for the rest of their lives, if they are so lucky to survive. Every single person is allowed to have their own opinion on all things in this life. However perhaps an event that means such a great deal to a vast number of Australian and New Zealanders, that the negative comments and criticism that people make should be respectfully put aside for the day.

In our world right now, we have service men and women currently deployed in war torn areas worldwide. They sign up for service to protect their country, to help others, they sign up with the intention of doing what they perceive and what they have been taught is the right thing to do. Just as those young men did all those years ago, and women. For a human being to dedicate their lives to the service of the safety of others is an act that I personally think should be respected.

This ANZAC Day, like every other, I will wake up and I will remember those brave men and women at Gallipoli. I will remember the men and women who have given their lives in the service of others. I will remember the sacrifices they made and those that are still made today. I will remember the families of those they leave behind, the spouses who raise their children alone, and the children who grow up missing their parents. For those who care for the returned, and importantly the returned that do not survive life after war. I will put aside any personal thoughts I have on why they had to fight, of those that sent them to their deaths, and our the state of world right now to show respect to service men and women, past and present. I will commemorate the ANZAC spirit that people worldwide know and admire. I will do all of these things because it is important to remember the sacrifices people of our past made for our future.

I will think of my own Father who has dedicated his life to the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force), who put the needs of his country above all else. I will remember for the same reason hundreds of thousands of others do, because it is important, even after all these years.

Lest We Forget.