Lest We Forget

Well tomorrow is ANZAC Day, which here in New Zealand means a commemoration and celebration of the Australian's and New Zealander's who have represented our glorious countries in a theatre of war or similar defence force role. All over the country there will be traditional parades and Dawn Services. Ian will be marching, as usual, at the Onehunga Parade which ends up at the RSA (Returned Services Association) Club Rooms at about 11.00am and I think the first drink is poured at 11.01!!! It is a day of rememberance and also a time for the "old cobbers" to get together, remember those who have fallen, and toast the fact they are still around.

On ANZAC Day, some 92 years ago, the allied forces staged one of the greatest coastal assault in history. The ANZAC tradition, the Australasian spirit, grew from the ideals of courage, endurance and mateship that those soldiers of the combined Australian and New Zealand Army Corps established on that day, April 25th, 1915.

These men, and women, fought for a freedom we now have the privilege to take for granted. In this push for the strategic lands of Turkey, the allied forces lost almost 50% of their forces in the first wave alone. The statistics are sobering - Australian 26,094 injured (7594 killed), New Zealand 7571 injured (2431 killed). A loss of life sustained to better their future; our future.

Please take the time out tomorrow to reflect on the life you have, the life people lost their lives to protect. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost Fathers, Grandfathers and other family members, and also to the current serving members of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces here, and overseas.

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.

LEST WE FORGET!