Four Seasons in One Kiwi

Lest We Forget – ANZAC Day Remembrance

Posted on by Principally Mused
                                          
                                  A short Promo Video that sums up 
                           why we celebrate ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day Dedication


At this hour, on this day, ANZAC received its baptism of fire and became one of the immortal names in history. We who are gathered here think of the comrades who went out with us to battle but did not return. We feel them still near us in spirit. We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice. Let us, therefore, once again dedicate ourselves to the service of the ideals of which they died. As the dawn is even now about to pierce the night, so let the memory inspire us to work for the coming of the new light into the dark places of the world.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old; 
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning

                                             We will remember them.
Tomorrow is ANZAC day.  

It is a special time each year where Kiwis and Australians come together to commemorate all the soldiers and servicemen/women who have served their country in war or conflict, and in particular, those who did not return.
To all those brave people who have served for my country so that I might have the freedoms that I enjoy as a Kiwi – I thank you.  To all those active Kiwi men and women, I thank you!  I respect your contribution and sacrifice.   I do not take for granted the rights that I enjoy and yet are denied to so many in our world.   To all the families who have lost a loved one – I salute your loss. 
This post is for you all.  Thank you. 

Quick Facts:


1. ANZAC stands for Australian, New Zealand Army Corps.

2. It commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli, Turkey, during World War I in 1915.  

3.  New Zealand and Australia both observe this event each year, and it is a time to remember all who have served their country in wars and conflicts.

4.  ANZAC day is a pubic holiday and always observed on April 25th in New Zealand.

5.  Close to 3000 New Zealanders died during the 8 month Gallipoli campaign.

6.  On ANZAC day many Kiwis (New Zealanders) attend parades, dawn services or ceremonies to commemorate ANZAC day.  Returned service personnel often attend parades wearing their medals. 

7.  It is common to lay wreaths to remember Kiwis who fought and died in past wars and conflicts. 

8.  Poppies are the symbol of remembrance for all people who have lost their lives in war. They go back as far as Napoleonic wars, where the Flanders Poppies were the first to flower over the fallen soldiers’ graves in France and Belguim.

9.  ANZAC biscuits are popular anytime, however their significance relates back to when the woman at home during war would send them off overseas knowing they would still be edible even after many weeks at sea!  Interestingly, both NZ and Australia claim they ‘invented’ them first.  I will believe my fellow countrywomen – I say it was the Kiwis!  


Interesting Video Footage: 

This is a series of short video footage of what it is to embody the spirt of the ANZAC.  

Song with Footage about Kiwi Soldiers 



Fascinating reading of a letter from Gollipoli 
that highlights the conditions, with old footage



Archive footage of the NZ Army in action 


Although from an Aussie perspective the 
footage is both rare and interesting as 
we glimpse early warfare



The most appropriate way to complete this blog post