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ANZAC Day honors coalition sacrifice

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Charles
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Joint and coalition service members across the installation celebrated Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day during a ceremony at Memorial Plaza April 25.

More than 100 people attended the dawn ceremony, which celebrated the endeavors and valor of the ANZAC soldiers who have fallen in service to their nation, said Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander Michael Rosenthal.

"The dawn service is homage to the dawn attack ANZAC forces made on Gallipoli in 1915 and over the years has become a tradition in commemorating such an important step in our countries' legacy," said Rosenthal.

Originally a day of celebration for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' participation in the battle of Gallipoli during World War I, which was the first major military action fought by the nations since gaining their independence, ANZAC Day honors the more than 8,000 forces who died during the conflict.

ANZAC Day has since been transformed into a day of remembrance for those who have served in the countries' armed forces throughout the years, similar to the U.S. national holiday -- Memorial Day.

"It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices and commitments made by those lost in our previous wars," said Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Ldr. Hannah Jude-Smith. "For our deployed service members it also reaffirms our commitment to our duty to our country and our coalition partners."

The ceremony included representatives from several coalition partners. Britain, the U.S., France and Canada joined Australia in laying wreaths at the base of the Australian and New Zealand flag poles. Following the wreath presentation, both flags were lowered to half staff and a one-minute long moment of silence was observed to remember the service members who have lost their lives performing their duties.

Recognizing sacrifice while defending common values was important for the base, said Brig. Gen. Giovanni Tuck, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander.

"It's an honor to stand here with all of our coalition partners on a day of remembrance," said Tuck. "We could not have been successful in the conflicts that our nation has participated in if it wasn't for our joint and coalition partners."

Australian forces serve in a variety of jobs throughout the installation to include coordinating C-130 and P-3 support for Special Forces in Afghanistan in support of coalition operations in the region, said Jude-Smith.

"To have representatives from each nation come out and support us, speaks testaments to the partnerships our nation has built and the support each country has given Australia.