Anzac Day

April 25th is the day that Australians and New Zealanders commemorate those who gave their lives in the wars that our countries have fought in. Increasingly, it is also a time to remember those who survived, but have since died. All over our two countries in cities and towns and small settlements people gathered at cenotaphs to pay tribute.

We will remember them.

Here is a poem I learned at school-


In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae, May 1915