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The Forum > General Discussion > 'Lest we forget' and 'Never again'

'Lest we forget' and 'Never again'

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Anzac Day is coming up next week.
We speak of the "Anzac Tradition,"
meaning the ideals of courage, endurance,
and mateship.

We've been taught the history of how the Australian
and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAACS)
landed at Gallipoli on April 25th 1913. How for 8 months
they endured the constant threat of death or maiming in
terrible conditions.

How ultimately their occupation of that narrow and
rugged piece of Turkish coast failed. That 30,000 Anzacs were
evacuated after 8 months. More than 2,700 New Zealand and
8,700 Australians died, with many more wounded.

The first anniversary of the landing was a day of mourning
with Anzac Day becoming a public holiday in 1922. A
remembering day of sorrow.

It has grown over the years to include all those who
served and died in later international conflicts.

Is Anzac Day still relevant in the 21st Century?

Of course it is. Remembering and learning about the physical
and mental cost of war is the real point of those phrases
we all know so well - "Lest We Forget," and "Never Again".

Anzac Day should speak to the need for global peace and
how war is no viable solution to conflict. We can see from
what's happening in the world today that these are lessons
that surely are worth teaching. We may not succeed - but
we do need to try if we want to leave a better world for
the next generations.

As we listen to the bugle's sorrowful melody
of - "The Last Post," being
played - may we remember the past with pride, but learn from
the lessons of the past, so we can look to the future with
hope.
Posted by Foxy, Saturday, 13 April 2024 10:39:00 AM
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April 25th, a long time ago
You went to battle at dawn
Many lost their lives that day
Together we shall mourn
We will march and remember
All of you brave men
For you went to war and battled on
And not all came home again
Through the darkest nights
And the longest days
Through muddy grounds you went
You marched on and looked behind
And saw the poppies spent
We will wear one on this day
To remember your courage so strong
We want you to know
That in our hearts
Your memory shall live on.
Posted by Foxy, Sunday, 14 April 2024 6:26:10 PM
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Hi Foxy

ANZAC Day was a major day in my family because:

- one of my Grandfathers fought at Gallipoli and then in World War Two

- the other Grandfather was a FIFO orthodontist at Pine Gap, treating CIA and Aussies who were remotely-electronically "fighting" wars in Vietnam, the 1979 Sino-Vietnam War and fighting in East Timor

- my father fought in Vietnam

- I was in the army reserve amongst people with PTSD from the Korean, Vietnam wars and Indonesian Konfrontasi

I saw ANZAC Day as a bit of a curse that augured in the shorter, dark days of Canberra Winters. No longer - the oldies have died off and I live far away from Canberra.

I still go to the local RSL Club and know so many people still effected by war.

Mavs
Posted by Maverick, Monday, 15 April 2024 10:40:22 AM
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Hi Mavs,

Anzac Day was always commemorated in our household
as well. Our family lost a great deal during several
wars. The experiences of wars have left their mark.

Family members also served in the Vietnam War,
many had mental issues as a result. One family member
to this day refuses to even talk about what he
experienced.

My father-in-law marched in the parade every Anzac Day.

I had the privilege of meeting Weary Dunlop years ago.
It was a very emotional experience.
Posted by Foxy, Monday, 15 April 2024 11:13:04 AM
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I've just come across the following link:

http://sbs.com.au/language/english/en/article/settlement-guide-what-does-anzac-day-mean-to-migrants/emOhn97zu

Many people might not realize that there were diverse backgrounds
amongst the Anzacs.
Posted by Foxy, Monday, 15 April 2024 12:58:00 PM
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OOOps. Excuse my typo.

Here's the link again:

http://sbs.com.au/language/english/en/article/settlement-guide-what-does-anzac-day-mean-to-migrants/em0hn97zu
Posted by Foxy, Monday, 15 April 2024 1:17:41 PM
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