ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is a public holiday here in Australia. Despite the dawn services, marches, reminders on television and in other media I am constantly amazed at the number of people who do not understand why we have this day. At the same time the number of people attending ANZAC parades, marches, ceremonies and services is increasing markedly every year.During World War 1 Australian soldiers landed, slightly off course, at the foot of almost perpendicular cliffs, on the beaches of Galipolli, Turkey. The tides made reaching shore difficult, the chances of escape were negligible and yet brave men ran up those cliff faces (knowing they were likely to die) and fought a brave fight.
I believe in peace, I would like a world without war and yet this is the world I live in, I look to my heavenly home for all encompassing peace. I am not convinced that we should have been involved all the wars we have. And yet, there is a reality that I live a safe and happy life here in Australia because brave men (and women) have served their country; have knowingly faced death and have effectively died for my freedom and that of my own family. Each of those numbers that we read in our history books; 30, 000 died at x - 27 died at y; they all had a mother and a father. They had wives and children, sisters and bothers. They had a local deli and several teachers.
Yes, I did take the chance for a sleep in today - and I did catch up with friends and family. I also gave time to a thought for those Australians who have fought and died for Australia for almost 100 years, and a prayer for future peace. And yes, I baked the ANZAC cookies pictured - crunchy on the left and chewy in the right - and as I did I thought of brave wives and mothers baking and filling tins to be sent to 'our boys' on the front.
