ANZAC DAY 2020

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, their first engagement in the First World War (1914–1918). 

This is the third Anzac Day we've spent in Australia.  All are moving.  This the most moving of all.  The day is typically observed with tens of thousands of Australian's marching in parades and tens of thousands more attending the parades.  They are held throughout Australia.

Aussie's wake at 0600 to pay their respects. The solemn understanding of the day's meaning is being passed down to the children.  The theme remains "Lest We Forget". In Australia, the population takes it to heart.  Feelings are genuine from the elderly to the children. 

This year the nation has invented many creative new ways to show their respect, yet maintain social distancing.  Citizens wake at 0600 and observe with a candle at the end of their driveway.  They are conducting virtual observances. Regardless, the are observing.

How serious do they take it? Thousands go to the expense of flying halfway around the globe to Turkey for the observance at 

In Turkey the name "ANZAC Cove" was officially recognised by the Turkish government on Anzac Day in 1985. In 1934, Kemal Atatürk delivered the following words to the first Australians, New Zealanders and British to visit the Gallipoli battlefields. This was later inscribed on a monolith at Ari Burnu Cemetery (ANZAC Beach) which was unveiled in 1985. The words also appear on the Kemal Atatürk Memorial, Canberra, and the Atatürk Memorial in Wellington: 

Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives.
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well.

^{Why is this significant.  Ataturk was the Ottoman commander at Gallipoli.  His troops were the ones who butchered the Anzacs when their British commanders treated them as second class citizens and cannon fodder. Attaturk recongnized the bravery of the Anzac bravery in the face of their suicide mission.}

^{It is too bad that we in the US have forgotten our veterans, treat Veteran's Day as a shopping holiday and no longer appreicate the sacrifice made by our forefathers. The Aussies and Kiwis have respect.  We have greed and self-interest.  America, I hardly know ye!}