We received a newsletter which told about an observance of ANZAC Day.

We can mourn the deaths of those who died at Gallipoli, but I question the way ANZAC Day is observed.

From the newsletter: “The ANZAC spirit has remained strong through subsequent wars and peacekeeping missions. Today its spirit is still evident among the brave men and women who volunteer to maintain our way of life.”

My view is that Gallipoli and many of the other actions of the Australian military had very little to do with maintaining our way of life. Gallipoli served the purposes of the British Empire and was a military cockup where a lot of men needlessly died and needlessly killed other men. I would to see an examination of WW1 and other wars Australia has been in with the following questions:

1. What led up to the war?
2. Should we have been in the war?
3. What good did it serve?
4. What are we doing to prevent other wars?
5. What could we be doing to prevent other wars?

We can hold dawn services and march in parades, but I think asking the above questions would be in Australia's interest.

In my opinion the way ANZAC Day is presently observed promotes acceptance of future wars. It implies: Can we do what they did? I think the above questions should be asked, and it’s better if we don’t do as they did.

With respect, this is regularly done to death.

It is about commemoration, see here,
https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day/

However, talking about 'building and maintaining our way of life' I would like to see some acknowledgement of the role of the Early Settlers.

Of course the black armband Leftists would not want to commemorate the courage, suffering, hard toil and comradeship of the Early Settlers and those who walk in their footsteps, either.

I agree with Onthebeach. This 'soul searching' nonsense always goes on just prior to, and just after, every damn Anzac Day. Why now, David F?. Who sends pamphlets out at this time of the year? Once a year is enough for repetitive picking over the bones of something that happened 100 years ago.

Dear David F.,

I also received a leaflet prior to Anzac Day this year
from The Hon. Minister of Defence, Kevin Andrews.
I've saved it for my grand-children.

I've stated previously on another discussion -
that -

Anzac Day, as the leaflet states is a day that goes
beyond the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
It is the day on which we remember Australians who
served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peace-keeping
operations.

It continues to have relevance with its human qualities of
courage, mateship, and sacrifice. It gives meaning and
relevance for our sense of national identity.

It doesn't glorify war. But is a commemoration of courage,
mateship and sacrifice.

In the 60's I was an anti-war protester and I had no sympathy for anyone 'dumb enough to join the army and get themselves killed'.

When I moved to New Zealand in the 1980's I visited the Auckland War Memorial Museum which is really a general history museum that includes a floor dedicated to New Zealanders who died in wars NZ participated. The day I was there a group of school children had left notes around the military displays thanking the soldiers for "our freedom", "for giving their life so we can have a good life", and other similar sentiments.

The experience touched me in a way I never felt. That same year I attended my first ANZAC service. It was a cold rainy morning and as I listened to the speeches, shivering in the cold, I realised my suffering was nothing compared to what the men who gave their lives endured.

ANZAC Day opened my eyes and my heart; I've developed a true sense of appreciation for soldiers even though I am still essentially anti-war.

In my initial post I advocated continuing the dawn services and parades. I suggested 5 questions in addition.

I have a great sympathy for the suffering of soldiers. I have served in the army during WW2. I also have a great sympathy for the suffering of civilians. In the current conflicts possibly over 90% of the casualties are civilians.

In WW2 Germany, Italy and Japan were our enemies. At this time they are our allies. One generation's enemies is another generation's allies.

I am not a pacifist. Some wars seem unavoidable.

I would just like to see some effort going on to prevent future wars. I think the Iraq War could have been avoided, and ISIS is a product of that war. If Australia is not attacked I would like to see debate and discussion before the Prime Minister sends troops into action.

Can't we put more effort in examining the past and making conflict less likely in the future?