Today marks the 99th anniversary of the ANZAC landing on the beaches of Gallipoli.
Soldiers from Australia and New Zealand, serving as part of the Commonwealth forces, made their way ashore at dawn, at a place the Turkish government would later name ANZAC Cove.
We gather at dawn today to remember those men and their comrades of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. We remember those who served in other theatres of that war — as well as those who came before and would come after in other wars, war-like conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
We remember the gunner at the Western Front, the seaman aboard the ill-fated HMAS Sydney and the airman who flew over Korea. We remember the conscript and the volunteer who fought together in Vietnam, the navigator in Iraq and the commando in Afghanistan.
We remember particularly remember Cameron Baird, VC, MG, who was the last Australian to lose his life in Afghanistan. Corporal Baird, of the 2nd Commando Regiment, was killed in action on June 22 last year. He was 32.
They were — and are — our grandfathers, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. Our friends, neighbours, uncles and aunts. They are our children.
They served — and still serve — because we ask them to. Because they chose to serve their country.
We remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice — giving their lives in the service of their country. We remember those who returned, but who in many ways can never leave the conflict. Those who carry physical injuries and who bear mental scars that are just as real.
We remember, commemorate and thank those who have served, suffered and died in the service of Australia and her allies. Those who didn't return and those who came back but would never be the same.
As the dawn breaks this morning, Australians and New Zealanders will gather to pay our respects at services around our countries. The ANZAC Dedication will be read:
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 for which they died. As the dawn is even now about to pierce the night, so let their memory inspire us to work for the coming of the new light into the dark places of the world.
The Ode of Remembrance has its origins in Binyan's poem, For the Fallen. Its third and fourth verses read:
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow,
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
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.
LEST WE FORGET
