ANZAC

http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/1landing/why.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_Day

First of all, ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. WWI brought both armies together and they went to Turkey to fight what ended up being a nearly futile battle. They were supposed to land at a beach and work through the terrain from there, but they missed the target and got to shore at cliffs with Turkish soldiers all over. Hundreds didn't even live to make it to shore because they were killed on the way in. April 25th is ANZAC Day. It's more grand than Memorial and Veteran's Day together. I went to a dawn service at the beach in Newcastle. Hundreds of returned service men and women (a few actually from Gallipoli, Turkey in 1915) marched in the street while even more stood in the pouring rain from 4-6am. They read a poem "Lest we Forget" and it nearly brought me to tears. After all the controversy with our Vet Hospitals, it has really made me think about how poorly we honor our soldiers when they come back.

Later that day they re-played the dawn service at the actual site of the battle, in Turkey. Australians and Kiwis had been lined up and camped out for four days before the service. If you have a resonable internet connection, try to find a video of the service online. It was beautiful. There was some controversy ten years ago when Turkey was making the formal memorial and people were outraged that graves were essentially being disturbed. The Turkish Government has done much to honor the soldiers and the site looks amazing.

That's about all for now. Have a good weekend everyone!