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I am happy to announce that I have another guest blogger tonight. He is from Australia. His name is Dennis Booth, and his country is remembering a defeat they had 100 years ago. This is a story you must read, because it honors those who gave up their lives for their country just like many soldiers have in many other countries. Please subscribe if you like having Military guests share their stories here at my author site. Just click on the icon right after the title to do that.
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On Saturday, April 25, Australia and New Zealand will remember a military defeat that has turned into a commemoration of what is known as the Anzac Spirit….Anzac standing for the Australians and New Zealand service personnel who fought at a place called Gallipoli.
And this is no ordinary remembrance day….it will be 100 years since that time when troops took to the shores of Gallipoli in Turkey and were mown down by gunfire as they stormed the beaches.
They did manage to make some ground up the reaches of the often steep hills but the fact is they had in the end to retreat after pitched battles leaving behind many dead and taking home many wounded.
And so was borne out of WW1 and in particular Gallipoli the Anzac Day march which remembers those who have returned from armed conflict in wars fought since WW1.
For years it was a march of soldiers, sailors, airmen and women who did their part in the wars…and also for the children of those who had perished but proudly wore their relatives’ service medals.
But in the last 10 years in particular there has been a tremendous upsurge of appreciation for what our forefathers in Australia and New Zealand have done for both countries in their respective uniforms.
So much so that the shores of Gallipoli once despised by many as being a killing field is now the meeting place for a dawn service on Anzac Day attended by thousands and where Turkey proudly stands with the Anzacs to remember this terrible time.
The site of so many young people who now journey to this place and sit in the cold proudly wearing medals in many cases and sobbing as they hear the speeches is watched on national television by the rest of Australia and New Zealand.
And of course on this same day in Australia and New Zealand dawn services are held everywhere and now attract huge crowds cheering yesterday’s service personnel for their sacrifice they undertook to defend our countries and for those who never returned.
It has shown beyond doubt that there is a fierce patriotism alive in Australia and its close ally New Zealand and shows that in a time when the world is concerned about terrorism that it would be grave to misjudge countries who are not at war and may appear to be “soft”
Faith is the substance of things hoped for but not seen…..but one might also say that hope is the substance of things that come from having faith and having faith in one’s country and its people is the greatest faith characteristic of all.