Anniversary of an Anzac-memory of a mother

APRIL 25th is an important date-it symbolizes many things to me, but across Australia, it is the one day of the year we commemorate the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli back in 1915. The date, 25 April, was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. In 1917, the word ANZAC meant someone who fought at Gallipoli and later it came to mean any Australian or New Zealander who fought or served in the First World War. During the Second World War, ANZAC Day became a day on which the lives of all Australians lost in war time were remembered. The spirit of ANZAC recognises the qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice which were demonstrated at the Gallipoli landing.
Commemorative services are held at dawn on this day,and each service as emotional as the next. Just speak with those who have taken part either as spectator, or addresing the onlookers.Our returning soldiers drifting home from the First World War, up until present day-These soldiors initiated this memorial, a tradition steeped in every patriotic heart, our form of remembrance. The first official dawn service was held at the Sydney Cenotaph in 1927, which was also the first year that all states recognised a public holiday on the day. Originally, these services were for all veterans, their personal homage to one another , time for them to reflect among fellow commrades in arms, almost a millitary wake, their respects shown by way of the two minutes of silence.....usually leading into the sound of a lone piper playing the 'Last Post'. Later in the day, there were marches in all the major cities and many smaller towns for families and other well wishers.
Today it is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war. Gatherings are held at war memorials across the country and families and friends form a unified alliance to reflect-It is a day for the heroes of every regiment of every era. A day to catch up on the old days, and old buddies. A day these soldiers receive their own recognition by their home, their country.
The battle at Gallipoli, our thoughts drift back to a painful and bloody sacrifice where the hallow word, ANZAC would be born.Hereafter, we will never forget them.And even today, we can salute the anzacs, with national pride..all the men and women who contributed so much, through great tragedies, sacrificing their lives, to protect us.Young Australians and New Zealanders, brave and young, dying to bring peace.The defence on our own shores against the Japanese, a time I as a baby boomer will always remember from the many stories passed down through my own ancestors.Those who were the many prisoners of war and those who sadly became their own prisoners to many awful demons that would follow them home. Endless nightmares, memories that would scar and memories that would still manage to kill.
World war II,Borneo, Timor Korea, Vietnam the list goes on....The anzac spirit will always be with us, making us the proud Australians we are still to this day.To all the sons, fathers, brothers..to my own family, my grandfather, my uncles and their fallen comrades in arms...this day shall be a day for all Australians, for those who served their country, for us.
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.
A Digger's Slouch Hat
A slouch hat is a wide-brimmed felt hat with a chinstrap most commonly worn as part of a military uniform. It is a survivor of the felt hats worn by eighteenth century armies. The distinctive Australian slouch hat, sometimes called an Australian bush hat, has one side of the brim turned up or pinned to the side of the hat in order to allow a rifle to be slung over the shoulder.

THE REST OF THE STORY

April 25th, 2000-

This was the day I said goodbye to an old rival, a thorn in my side. Most had a hard time understanding my reasons, many believed I would succumb. But I had an ace up my sleeve and it was a mighty powerful weapon, one I had never imagined owning.

My head was still reeling from the news of mum's diagnosis, my heart carried a pain I never knew possible, just getting from one day to the next all I could face-Soon weighed down with more personal blows, the fight to survive all that mattered now.

I'd heard many words of wisdom from those who 'meant well', it would not sink in, not until I had a need to get angry-really angry! Ovarian cancer had come to town, our town.Sneaking into my mother's space, it had rudely interupted....a life!
So as i struggled to comprehend the disease and its own power, I found my own. The habit I'd picked up at age 15, was about to feel my wrath! For twenty-five years it held me down...for every past effort to quit smoking , I had failed. I was weak.

Mum had long hoped I'd see the light, so this fight, was for her.
When asked why I chose Anzac Day to stop? Simple... I wanted a date to remember, all that had happened, all that was about to happen....I won't forget.
My 8th anniversary as a non-smoker....only 2 days short of my mother's birthday. Miss you mum, the void always present, the love eternal.

Judith Burns

27/4/37 - 3/7/00

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