ANZAC DAY

ANZAC DAY 25Th April is probably Australian most important occasion for the nation to come together as one . It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australians and New Zealand forces.

Today, us as parents Phil as a son and myself as a daughter we felt so proud, our son Graeme marched in the Anzac Parade along with his father. Graeme wore Phillip's fathers medals something that we are all proud of, what made the day so special was that these medals had never been worn in a march before as Dad was never able to get to Sydney and march when he was alive. I was so proud sitting on the side of the road with the rest of our family watching the parade and seeing my two men, I would not have missed it for the world .

The Meaning of Anzac

The word ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The solders of 1915 who where at Gallipoli became known as Anzac's. They landed in Turkey at the place called Gallipoli on 25 April, 1915 meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. This 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.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing the solders the Australian and New Zealand actions during this campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the "ANZAC legend" became an important part of our country's identity and shaped the ways we now view both our past and future. On this day we acknowledge these solders by celebrating by marching in our states and attending dawn services. LEST WE FORGET

When a sailor dies it is called Crossing the Bar---- this is a poem about that phase

CROSSING THE BAR by Tennison

Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our borne of time and place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

`````````````````