Lest We Forget Dawn Service Anzac Day 2013

Lest We Forget

 

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They shall grow not old, as we that are left 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.

ANZAC Day, April 25th, is one of Australia's most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I, and has also come to represent the sacrifices of all men and women who serve in the ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) defence forces.

The 25th of April was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916. It was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia, a march through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. During the 1920s ANZAC Day became established as a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians who had died during the war. By the mid 1930s all the rituals we now associate with the day were firmly established as part of ANZAC Day culture.

 

On ANZAC day there are a number of events which you can attend in order to show your respect to all Australian and New Zealand veterans including dawn services, the veterans march, local school parades, commemorative breakfasts and formal luncheons.

This year, as well as attending the traditional ceremonies, why not try some of these other unique ways to commemorate ANZAC day:

* Volunteer at the Australian War Memorial and help keep the legacy of the ANZAC's alive.

*Give your time and assist in a local service on Anzac Day.
More opportunities and event locations can be found here.
*Write to an Australian soldier overseas and thank them for their sacrifice, devotion and loyalty.

*Make a donation to the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund, Legacy, Soldier On or any other RSL associated fund.

*Become a community visitor at an RSL veterans home. Spend time with a veteran, listen to their stories and provide them with companionship.

*Bake ANZAC Biscuits, Hard Tack and other traditional Australian ANZAC day foods. Share your spoils with friends, family and the people in your community.

*Raise a Glass at a local RSL, club, bar, restaurant or BBQ and talk to those around you about the ANZAC memories you hold close to your heart. This will help the ANZAC legend live on, as inspired by the VB Raise a Glass Appeal.

*Plant wild rosemary, wattles, poppies and other symbolic plants with your children to show them that ANZAC day means taking care of the beautiful Australian environment which the ANZACs have ensured we can continue to enjoy.

However you choose to observe this significant Australian date, ANZAC day will long represent a time of respect, reflection and reverence and is an important occasion to pause and consider those impacted by the effects of war, and the nations shared hopes for a more peaceful future.

 

Paying respect to Australia's service men and women

Photograph by Greg O'Beirne /Wikimedia Commons

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service is a solemn and moving ritual, attended by many ex-service men and women, their families and by ordinary Australians in towns and cities across the continent on the 25th of April each year. But how many people know where the tradition of the dawn service began?

The dawn service is a tribute to both the time of the Gallipoli landings which occurred at dawn and the military tradition of 'standing to'.

In war, dawn and dusk were common times for launching an attack or indeed repelling the attack of a foe. Therefore daily at this precarious interval soldiers were required to man their post with weapons at the ready for what may await. These were times of day when soldiers were alert and prepared but also alone with their thoughts.

Dawn services took place in towns around Australia prior but the generally accepted first organised ANZAC Day Dawn Service took place in 1928 at the Sydney Cenotaph, located in Martin Place. The inaugural event was attended by about 150 people.

The inception of this dawn service however can be traced to a group of veterans on the ANZAC eve of 1927. Heading home through Martin Place in the early hours of the morning, they came across an elderly woman laying a wreath at the not yet completed monument. They joined her in her grief and vowed to begin a tradition.

Last year 12,000 people attended the dawn service at the Sydney Cenotaph and paid their respects to the men and women who have defended Australia and who have represented Australia in peacekeeping missions.