Lest We Forget....
THE ANZAC MEMORIAL
Those heroes that shed their blood And lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side,
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries...
Wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom And are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land, they have
Become our sons as well.
These were the words spoken in 1934 by M. Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern day Turkey, in tribute to the Anzacs.
I have commented a little here about the Anzacs and their sacrifice for in all honesty, there is little more I can say that can pay proper respect to them.
And so to prevent this turn into a savage rant about what torture would be fitting for the scum who desecrated the Shrine of Remembrance in Queensland I shall just make a few comments.
I am proud to see record crowds turning out in record numbers. Around ten years ago there was much concern that the younger generations were losing interest in Anzac. But it was not just here in my home town that saw record numbers - all across the country the crowds have just kept getting bigger and bigger.
And this year, when the government fulfills its responsibility and issues a travel warning not to go to Gallipoli, there are record numbers of attendees.
And yet somehow - I never expected it to be any different.
The Anzacs represent the standard to which all Australians should strive for. Next year I hope to have something fitting to do or say in remembrance.
© by Tiberius Alatheus 2004