Today is ANZAC Day.
ANZAC day is dear to my heart as my childhood best friend currently serves in the Army and has seen conflict. Several of my family and friends previously served in the military in both peacetime and war including my great Uncle (Pop’s brother) who served in the Egypt and Middle East and was awarded medals by both the Australian and Italian Army. One of my grandmother’s family is buried at Gallipoli. Growing up my family instilled in me the importance of ANZAC Day and recognising the sacrifice of servicemen and women.
It’s heartwarming to see so many people attending services and paying their respects to those who serve. Sadly, there is some confusion over some terminology and what is considered respectful. To help you out here’s list of things that current, and former members, of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Force would like you to know before observe ANZAC day.
Twenty things to remember on ANZAC day:
- ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign (Turkey) of WWI. ANZAC is an acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. So it is is important to write it as ANZAC, not Anzac.
- We commemorate or observe ANZAC Day – we definitely do not celebrate it.
- Each year on the 25th of April we reflect on ALL Defence Force personnel, past and present, and the sacrifices they’ve made. It is a solemn day.
- ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI.
- At dawn on the 25th of April 1915, soldiers rowed ashore in boats called ‘lighters’ during the Gallipoli landings, under fire and without outboards motors. This is why dawn services are held.
- Traditionally, Rosemary is worn on ANZAC Day. The significance of Rosemary is that it grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula.
- On ANZAC Day you will see people wearing poppies. Each poppy symbolises something different – here’s an explanation:
- The RED Poppy symbolises peace, death and sleep of the fallen servicemen/woman.
- PURPLE Poppies represents remembrance of the animal victims of war.
- An acknowledgement of the Service families is represented by the ORANGE Poppy. It also acknowledges the families’ loss due to veteran suicide.
- The WHITE Poppy which was worn between 1918 – 1939 symbolises the wearers’ commitment to peace.
- It really doesn’t matter which side you wear your Poppy on, as long as it’s worn with pride. Traditionally, men on the left breast and women on the right breast.
- The Last Post is sounded, not played. It is always played on a bugle, not a trumpet.
- Not every serviceman or woman were ‘soldiers’. Some were sailors, airmen and medical staff. Please take the time to ascertain what Service veterans served in, and use the correct terminology. It means a lot to them!!!
- There is often confusion about what is worn on their chest. The correct terminology is medals, not badges or citations, not pins.
- Medal recipients wear their medals on the left side of their chest covering their heart; family members/descendants wear the medals on the right side of their chest.
- Medals, ribbons and Unit Citations are EARNED, not WON. They are awarded to the recipient, not given to them.
- The ‘Return From Active Service’ badge can be worn on any day of the year. It’s not a medal.
- Australian and New Zealand soldiers did not retreat from Gallipoli, they withdrew.
- Having a few drinks and playing ‘2 up’ is an ANZAC Day tradition. BUT being disrespectful by getting drunk, picking fights and acting like a yobbo isn’t the tradition.
- ANZAC Day isn’t a day to go and watch, or play sport. Please respect to the brave men and women in uniform, past and present, who fought for the blanket of freedom that you currently sleep under and don’t try to draw comparisons between sports players and war veterans. Sports players don’t perform acts of heroism whilst under fire, to protect their fellow Service personnel, flag and Country so it is considered disrespectful to compare them to the ANZACS.
- Don’t avoid going to ANZAC services if you are worried that your baby will make a fuss during the two minutes’ silence. For many veterans, it’s the cries of the little ones in the crowd that make it so special. It’s the reason why so many veterans & ultimately our fallen heroes gave their time, service & lives for. Their families. Their countrymen. To not hear the babies/children’s voices and cries and the tutts from their mothers and fathers during this special occasion never has been an offence. (But don’t them run riot either.)
- ‘Lest We Forget’ isn’t a throwaway line, it actually has meaning: it’s an expression of remembrance, par excellence. It has dignified origins, a rich history so it’s important not to misuse or disrespect it.
- The ‘Ode’ comes from the poem “For the Fallen”, written by Laurence Binyon. The verse, which is commonly known as ‘The Ode Of Remembrance’, is as follows: “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.”
I hope these things help you commemorate ANZAC day in a respectful way. A big thanks to my military friends who helped me put this list together.
Lest We Forget
