By
Lieutenant Chantal Llora
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Leading
Aircraftman Anthony Palmer picks a poppy after the dawn
service at Gallipoli.
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Leading
Aircraftman Jonathon O’Brien with other Australian
Federation Guard members and Turkish MPs at the Turkish
Memorial.
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IT’S
a sobering place, Gallipoli. Many good men fought and died from
Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Turkey.
Gallipoli is a story of courage and endurance, of death and despair,
and the unwavering mettle and camaraderie that Australians displayed
and the loyalty they held dear.
It’s a place that moves people to tears. Even CAF Air Marshal
Angus Houston was emotional as he read the ode at this year’s
service.
Despite a travel warning issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs,
this year’s ceremony attracted a record crowd of about 15,000.
Before the dawn service, Anzac Cove was lined with expectant faces
– Australians, New Zealanders, English, Irish and Turkish.
It was a mixture of sombre reflection and national fervour, singalongs
and silences, crying and laughing.
After the dawn service, thousands of people moved to Lone Pine
for the Australian service. The atmosphere was charged with excitement
and the cry of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi”
rang through the crowds.
