ANZAC Day is Australia's Memorial Day taken to heart by a nation. It is a day of remembrance and reverence that we in the States have ceased to have. In an article in today's local paper, it is described with the following words, "Veteran are not only living links to our past, but symbols of love and devotion to country, of what we value about our freedom and way of life today."
We were fortunate to share the largest ANZAC Day celebration in the country by attending the Dawn Service in Melbourne where thousands of people, old veterans and young toddlers came to pay their respects to those who have both passed on and those who continue to serve. It was moving and solemn, with a quiet spirit of honor filling the crowd. It was astonishing for me to see teenagers with the typical attire and accoutrements of rebellion standing side by side with men and women in suits and uniforms, all paying homage to this day of remembrance and to those who made it possible.
Following the service we, as did over a thousand of the attendants, passed through the largest single monument to Australia's veterans and laid posies at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Perhaps we as Americans would have less strife in our communities and cities if we also held the sacrifice of others in such high esteem.
Steve
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