This memorial day has become increasingly important to me over the last few years, and although I cannot really explain why that is. Perhaps I'm trying to repay some very big debts I owe personally to others, perhaps I'm trying to connect with my relatives who have made the ultimate sacrifice in WW1 and WW2, and other conflicts...I don't know, and this post isn't about my personal circumstances...its really aimed out there at all of you.
For those from overseas who don't know what I'm going on about read a bit here...
The Anzac Day Tradition [Australian War Memorial]
For those who basically know that the day exists, that they get a holiday and can watch old guys with medals (increasingly few) marching...I hope you take at least one minute during the day 25th April to think on someone you don't know, will never know, never knew you......but someone who was just like you, same hopes same fears, same desires...same age..even from the same district you are from.....that someone gave up everything, their life because they believed in their bit of Australia and everything it meant to them.
(Please allow me a poor analogy)
There are times in your life when you have to draw a line in the sand so to speak, in hindsight that line can be badly drawn, based on bad info, mistaken views, you can if you're lucky have the luxury of making better decisions about where the line should be drawn next time. But each and every one of us will more than once draw such lines.....its a quirk of fate, history and luck that places us where we are now and places others where they were then.
I didn't ask any ANZAC to draw their line in the sand when and where they did, but
I OWE THEM because they did.
Take a minute out of your day off to think about that person you don't know that made the ultimate sacrifice...(you don't have to be a jingoistic, flag waving xenophobe I am not!) realise that amongst the incredible diversity that makes our country such a great place to live the ANZAC's their history, their sacrifice are a big part of what makes your bit of Australia the way it is, and if that's got to be worth at least 60 seconds of your day.
For those that can try to make the dawn service...it'll change your whole day, it might even change a little bit more....
LEST WE FORGET