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U.S. Air Force musicians join in ANZAC Day ceremony

  • Published
  • By Maj. Chad Steffey
  • U.S. AFCENT Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Six Airmen of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band performed hymns, bugle calls and the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand at a dawn memorial service here in commemoration of ANZAC Day.

A national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day is commemorated on April 25th every year by both countries to honor members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in Turkey during World War I. Much like Memorial Day in the United States, ANZAC Day pays tribute to all those who have served in military operations for their country.

Having just arrived here in the AOR the previous morning, Master Sgts. Paul Perez and Robert Newlin, and Staff Sgts John Garcia, Christopher Moore, Mark Nixon and John Rattay began playing before the sun came up, having only a brief rehearsal the day before.

Airmen from six partner nations gathered to participate in today's solemn ceremony.
Squadron Leader Charles Vandepeer, Royal Australian Air Force, spoke of the history of ANZAC Day and its importance to the people of Australia and New Zealand. "We do not celebrate victory or glorify war - we celebrate the triumph of human valor - the spirit of ANZAC."

Senior officers from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France each laid a wreath at the base of the flag poles here. RAAF Air Commodore Neil Hart, Combined Air and Space Operations Center Director, and U. S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Hoog, Deputy Combined Force Air Component Commander, were among today's distinguished participants.

As the flags were lowered to half mast, Staff Sgt. Mark Nixon sounded the "Last Post" bugle call.

After a moment of silence, RAAF Flying Officer Bronwyn Rowe recited the traditional ode: "They shall not grow 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."

The half light of dawn grew, and the audience replied together, "We will remember them ... lest we forget."

At the RAAF-hosted breakfast after the ceremony here, Air Commodore Hart reminisced with band members about prior celebrations at his home in Newcastle, Australia, noting how special the occasion is for older veterans.