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Tuesday, April 25, 2017

ANZAC Day

25 APR 17
In my military days, I was fortunate enough to work alongside Aussie forces and other military from around the world. Today is ANZAC Day, a day of remembrance for Aussie and New Zealand military forces. I had the distinct pleasure of being a part of an ANZAC Day dawn ceremony in Afghanistan during the war. I say pleasure because it was a unique opportunity to see Turkish and ANZAC forces both represented at the ceremony. The Turkish referred to the ANZAC forces as their "honorable enemy." They traded items, including covers. It was very touching.

Two things I would like to share on this day. 

One, rare footage of the actual landing on Gallipoli, the first battle that ANZAC forces took place in.
Gallipoli Landing

The other is a picture for today of a page from a diary from that day. From the war diary of Indian Army Captain C.A. Milnard. He was with the staff, on the boats that day. 


In these days where the news is filled with talk of military action between countries, between the US and North Korea, may we never forget the sacrifices and battles of those who fought to give us the world we live in today. And when we think of war, may we weigh these costs in with everything else. I'm not saying we shouldn't go to war, just that we go to war wide awake, with fear, with respect, and with absolute assurance that we are doing the right thing.

EDIT: I took this picture during the ceremony. I believe it ended up being used in New Zealand somewhere. Very happy with this one.





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