Today on the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to observe a minutes silence to commemorate 11 am on 11 November 1918 when the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. This moment when World War 1 Western Front hostilities ceased became universally associated by the allied forces with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern world conflict left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. Each year, Australians also take the opportunity to remember those brave men and women who have died in the wars since.
Why Armistice Day is important
Remembrance Day is particularly significant to me as my childhood best friend currently serves in the Australian Army’s Amphibious Transport Corp and I am always grateful when he returns home. My friends, great uncle, uncle and mum’s cousins have all served in military. Some made it home safe, others sadly paid the ultimate sacrifice.
In September 2007, our family made the pilgrimage to Anzac Cove and Lone Pine on the Gallipoli Peninsula (Turkey). The barge crossing the Dardanelles Strait from Canakkale in the early morning light was incredibly eerie. Our little group of six weary travelers and another Brisbane family were the only visitors to the National Park that morning. Although the national park and museum serves as a reminder of the darkest days in Turkish, Australian and New Zealand’s history, it is so peaceful and incredibly beautiful. As you stand on the shore of Anzac Cove and look towards the ridge, a haunting tragic sadness seems to be ingrained in every rock, tree and grain of sand. It was quiet overwhelming yet there was such peace. For me the sense of peace comes from knowing that this battleground is as significant for the Turks as it is for the Aussies & Kiwis so they take good care of it. The Turks consider that those who die on their land as their own.
The Ataturk Memorial at Gallopi’s entrance states
“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 faraway 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.”
– Ataturk, 1934
This sentiment resounds throughout Turkey creating a beautiful a sense of belonging. Although I took many photos during our visit I’ve never been able to create more than one a scrapbook layout – perhaps next year. I dug through my archives to find my page… I love this as it shows my daughter and her great friend perched on the ANZAC Cove memorial. It highlights to me how lucky we are and how much freedom Australian and Kiwi women have due to the sacrifices of those who served in our military in generations past. It gives me hope that our children will never experience the horrors of war.
“At the going down of the sun, we will remember them – Lest we Forget”
