Today is ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) Day. On this date in 1915, Australian, New Zealand, British and French forces landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey and marched into history. Today ANZAC Day commemorates all Aussie and Kiwi servicemen and women.

A good friend of mine in Toowoomba, Queensland, once taped the TV coverage of Brisbane's ANZAC Day parade and sent it to me -- it was very moving to see the turnout of thousands of people along the main street in Brisbane, young and old, to honour the "Diggers", especially the young people wearing Dad and Grandad's medals (on the right side).

My friends' grandad, btw, was a Scottish expat who served with the Queensland Cameron Highlanders in New Guinea during the Second World War.

At the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, the following is read:

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.

-- Laurence Binyon, "The Ode to the Fallen"

For more information about ANZAC Day, the Australian War Memorial has a good introduction on their web site:

http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/..._tradition.htm

Lest We Forget.

Todd