Coalition Airmen observe ANZAC Day

Published April 27, 2010
By Maj. Chad Steffey
U.S. AFCENT Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen from six partner nations gathered at the Memorial Plaza here for a dawn service to observe 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.

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."

Considered Australia's most important national occasion, ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the 1915 offensive to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey and open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The campaign lasted eight months, and more than 8,000 Australian soldiers died.

Observed by Australians and New Zealanders around the world, the ANZAC Day service is traditionally held at dawn, a symbolic link to the Gallipoli landing. Participants offer prayers, recount the battle, sing hymns, lay wreaths, lower the flags to half mast and observe a period of silence, recite the Ode of Remembrance, and raise the flags again at first light as a bugler sounds "Reveille."

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. Combined Air and Space Operations Center Director, RAAF Air Commodore Neil Hart and Deputy Combined Force Air Component Commander, U. S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Hoog were among today's distinguished participants.

Speaking after the ceremony here, Air Commodore Hart reminisced about prior celebrations at his home in Newcastle, Australia, noting how special the occasion is for older veterans.

As the flags were lowered to half mast, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Nixon, a member of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, 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."