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Coalition forces commemorate 98th annual ANZAC Day

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Christian Michael
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The Royal Australian Air Force invited the Grand Slam Wing to take part in a dawn, wreath-laying service April 25 to remember all who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations in which Australian and New Zealand defense forces have been engaged.

"ANZAC Day goes back to World War I, when the Australian and New Zealanders fought together as new nations," said Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Alyssa Badgery, who played several hymns on her violin during the ceremony. "And it commemorates their experiences on the battlefields of World War I, particularly in Turkey and on the Gallipoli Peninsula."

ANZAC - or Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - Day commemorates the first major conflict with heavy casualties during WWI for ANZAC forces. The first ANZAC Day celebration was in 1915, renamed from Eighth Hour Day, but was formally changed to April 25 in 1916, a year after ANZAC forces first landed in Gallipoli. Since WWII, ANZAC Day has expanded to commemorate all service members who lost their lives in conflicts in which ANZAC forces have been involved.

"The ANZAC Day pre-dawn service is about recognizing the sacrifices that are required for freedom," Badgery said, "and to make the special effort to take the time to go to the dawn service and parades, to be with my children and to help grow the awareness in them of the importance taking time out to recognize people who have fought for our country."

The dawn service focuses on the quiet moments before dawn during conflict, where soldiers were woken up to "stand-to" before another day of battle would begin. The Thursday morning ceremony here began at 4:20 a.m. - the time ANZAC Forces made landfall on Gallipoli in 1915 -- hosted by Wing Commander Paul Gibbs Australian Defense Force Task Unit 633.2.5, followed by a hymn, dedication, sonnet and requiem. Coalition representatives here laid wreaths, including the Australians, New Zealanders, British, Americans, French, Canadians, Italians and Belgians. After the laying of wreaths, an ode of remembrance was read before a playing of the last post. After a minute's silence, reveille played, a prayer given and the ceremony concluded with the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand.

Throughout the ceremony, attendees took the opportunity to remember those who came before them, including friends and family.

"I'm privileged. I've had previous family in the defense force, also," said RAAF Corporal Gavin Hicks. "So it's time to remember those, my grandfather, and also other family members who have been in the defense force, so it's an honor to represent Australia while I'm deployed here."

The commemoration was not only for remembering those who came before, but also for those who, today, still fight on front lines around the world.

"The reality that we are commemorating wars from long ago but yesterday, even, people died," Badgery said. "To me that's a very sobering experience and a real reminder that the cost of freedom is very high and it's still high today. It will always be important for us to remember the price of freedom."