ANZAC DAY

APRIL 25 (ANZAC DAY) is a big day in Australia and New Zealand. and I thought those of you who are not Aussies may like to know something about this tradition. It s probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 14 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

The day begins with dawn services at small and large memorials in towns all over Australia when the solemn words are repeated:

"They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them; we will remember them"

Later, there are big parades in the larger cities, with men and women who served in all wars marching in their old company groups, or else children and grandchildren of citizens who served and who have passed on. Afterwards, many will meet at reunion dinners or for drinks at favored local pubs. As one leaves the War Memorial in Canberra, on the wall there is an inscription to the effect that one cannot understand the Australian culture until one understands the experience of Australians at war.

Does this mean that Australia is a bellicose nation? That is hardly the case, since we have never started a war although we do have a habit of joining with allies to fight. ANZAC Day is important to us because it was in the crucible of conflict that the Aussie spirit of "mateship" emerged, of helping your mate when he/she is down, of looking after the underdog, and looking out for the general good. This attitude drives much of the social services, including the health system.

ANZAC Day, and the memory of that drawn out and futile battle for the Dardinelles has formed a bond between Australia (and New Zealand) with Turkey. These former enemies now have a common ANZAC memorial at the place of the intended invasion. Each year Turks and visitors from Australia and New Zealand stand, at dawning and with heads bowed, for a simple memorial service to reflect on and recall the futile irony of war. Similar ceremonies occur in France and Belgium.