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| Time to reflect: The RTF commemorate Anzac Day at Camp Russell, named after Sgt Andrew Russell who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2002. Photo by Capt Haydn Barlow |
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| Stepping out in style: Members of the Australian Intelligence Corps led Anzac parades in most capital cities and in many small towns in recognition of their corps’ 100th birthday. |
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Sacrifice recalled
By Graham Davis and
Sgt Damian Griffin
THOUSANDS of Australians and New Zealanders, ranging from small children to the very old, turned out on April 25 to honour the Anzacs – and those who have followed them.
In cities and towns across Australia and New Zealand and in numerous locations across the globe, including Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands, civilians joined Defence members to remember the fallen.
They took part in dawn and sunset services, marches, special parades, gunfire breakfasts and reunions. And the general consensus – Anzac Day remembrance is getting bigger.
The Australian Intelligence Corps, which this year celebrates its 100th birthday, was given the honour of leading parades in most capital cities, and its banner had pride of place in many marches.
Deputy Head of Int corps Lt-Col Mick Lehmann said leading the march in Canberra was a great honour for the corps as he reflected on the corps’ contribution to Australia.
“We’re small in numbers, but the contributions our members have made to the Army’s success have been remarkable. Our deployed soldiers are giving critical intelligence to commanders, helping them make decisions while strengthening our security and force protection,” he said.
Ray Spring, chairman of the Brisbane Anzac Day Combined Parade Committee, said that city had 10,000 march – up by 1000 on last year.
“Another 60,000 watched from the footpaths,” he said.
Chief marshal for the Brisbane parade, Les Lupuljev, said that most World War II veterans are now in their 80s and many were unable to march or even climb up into a jeep.
“That’s why, for the first time, this year we had 12 golf carts carrying many of the senior veterans,” he said.
One of those who rode in a buggy was RAN shipwright and diver 100-year-old Conrad Zimmerman, a member of the HMAS Hobart Association group.
For the Army, the Brisbane parade was a large effort with more than 800 soldiers taking part.
Getting them from Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera saw two special trains and many coaches called in.
In addition, many children and young people marched wearing the medals of grandfathers and great grandfathers on their right breast.
Brisbane’s parade was held in perfect weather and took almost two-and-a-half hours to pass a given point.
By contrast, the Sydney Dawn Service at the Martin Place Cenotaph was conducted in steady rain.
Canberra also saw a sprinkling of rain, though mild temperatures helped to bring out one of the largest Dawn-Service crowds ever in the capital.
Meanwhile, as the Sun drifted eastward across the planet, other services and parades sent prayers and tears flowing in solemn memory.
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Shoulder to shoulder: Soldiers from the Parachute Training School form in front of the Cenotaph during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Nowra, NSW.
Photo by AB Brenton Freind |
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Blood red: Poppies are placed on the Darwin City Cenotaph by proud Northern Territory residents, to show their respect for the servicemen and women who gave their lives for their country, after the Anzac Day dawn service.
Photo by Gnr Shannon Joyce |
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| With pride: Residents from across the Top End gather at the Darwin Cenotaph in the Northern Territory for the dawn service. Photo by Gnr Shannon Joyce |
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Tribute: Defence Minister Brendan Nelson lays a wreath at the French monument in Morto Bay.
Photo by Cpl Rob Nyffenegger |
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United: Australian and New Zealand Defence members in Timor Leste conduct a dawn service in Dili.
Photo by PO Damian Pawlenko |
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With honour
EACH year in April we say a prayer and shed a tear for thousands of men and women few of us actually knew, but whose example we pledge to aspire to.
At Gallipoli this year, following his tour of the MEAO, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson delivered a powerful and emotional speech that should remind all Australians and New Zealanders what it is we look up to – the spirit of Anzac.
“Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free. Our anthem is a national epitaph to those whose sacrifice in peace and war, gave us that freedom,” he said.
“With awkward humility, we pause here at Gallipoli, free and confident heirs to a legacy born of idealism and forged in self-sacrifice. We do so in renewed commitment to one another, our nation and the ideals of mankind.
At this hour, 92 years ago, Anzacs were on the cusp of giving our nation its identity and place in the world, not only by what they would do here, but how they would do it.
By first day’s end were 2000 Australian and New Zealand casualties.
Courageous New Zealanders gave us that first ANZAC day and forged in bloody sacrifice the bond within which our two nations live.
At its end, eight months later, 8700 Australians would be dead and 19,000 wounded, but with abiding respect for their Turkish adversaries.
Charles Bean’s account of a digger arriving at the front trench before the Australian assault on Lone Pine, says it all:
‘Jim here?’ he asked.
A voice in the fire step answered, ‘Right here, Bill.’
‘Do you chaps mind shiftin’ up a piece?’ said the first voice. ‘Him and me are mates, and we’re goin’ over together.’
Each of them had only one life – only one chance to use life in a selfless way for others and our nation. They chose us.
From the safe distance of this century, it is tempting to settle for the broad brushstrokes of history in neglectful ignorance of individual sacrifices made in our name.
To understand what happened here, to feel a connection with this place, is to be fully Australian.
No group of Australians has given more, nor worked harder to shape and define our identity than those who have worn – and now wear – the uniform of the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force.
They forged values that are ours and make us who we are, reminding us that there are some truths by which we live that are worth defending.
Let us recommit ourselves to that which Gallipoli asks of every Australian, whether by birth or immigration.
Our Australia – their Australia – is a nation in which our values are etched less in granite and marble than they are in our flag, a slouch hat, rising sun, and a smile that says, ‘G’day mate. Can I give you a hand?’
Our responsibilities to one another transcend and define our rights. We salute principle before position and honour values, not value.
We will be at our best in facing different, threatening horizons, if we triumph as they did, over fear.
The bedrock for our most fragile, yet powerful of beliefs – hopeful confidence in the future – is the gift given to us by generations of servicemen and women.
Precious Australians, who lie here, and in distant places of the world, do so as silent witnesses to the future they have given us. We honour them by the way we use our lives and shape our nation.
The sun will soon pierce the night sky.
Let us shine that light into dark corners of the world as an outward looking, compassionate and confident people imbued with the Anzac spirit of endurance, courage and selfless determination to help others.
Robert ‘Mac’ Calder of the 14th Battalion heard a voice calling from no man’s land, ‘Have you forgotten me Cobbers?’
He didn’t. We won’t. We never will.
We are young and we are free.
Lest we forget.”
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Proud tradition: CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy addresses soldiers at Cultana Range.
Photo by LS Phillip Cullinan |
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Salute to new Anzacs
Capt Michael Brooke
IN a moving Anzac Day Dawn Service conducted at Cultana Field Training Area in South Australia, CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy told the soldiers of OBG(W)-3 that they will soon join other ADF personnel who are writing a new chapter to the proud tradition of Anzac.
Lt-Gen Leahy addressed the 450 members of Battle Group Tiger and 70 members of the AATTI-8 who comprise OBG(W)-3 in an emotional tribute to all Australian service personnel who have fought in defence of the nation since the Anzac’s stormed the shores of Gallipoli in 1915.
“In the desert of South Australia as you prepare for operations in the desert in southern Iraq it is no exaggeration to recall that on this day 92-years ago the Anzacs made history,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.
“The Anzacs not only defined a nation, but an Army, leaving us as the inheritors of a proud tradition.”
He said when he visited Anzac Cove in 2003 he tried to imagine the soldiers coming ashore who defined the national character “and these are the same men and women that I see before me today”.
He said OBG(W)-3 soldiers, and all ADF personnel, carry forward the values of the nation and the Army.
“You are among the best soldiers in the world, and now it is your turn to make history.
“Just as the original Anzacs forged the national character, you will write a new chapter in the legend of Anzac.”
CO OBG(W)-3 Lt-Col Jake Ellwood said the men and women of OBG(W)-3 were training hard to meet the challenges of the deployment on Op Catalyst.
“As we remember the spirit of the Australians who fought in defence of the nation, we ask that we be worthy of their sacrifice,” he said.
OBG(W)-3 is conducting mission rehearsal exercises in preparation for deployment to southern Iraq in May. |
