Lest we Forget

Its ANZAC day here today and for the first time I attended this morning’s dawn service held at the Australian War Memorial. Canberra’s weather is nothing if not predictable and right on cue it has embraced autumn with overenthusiastic fervour. Arriving at the War Memorial at 4.45am, the pre-dawn air was heavy with the scent of last night’s rain and the wind enveloped my unprotected face and ears like an icy whisper. The lit Memorial stood out in the darkness almost ghoulishly, whilst directly behind us, Parliment House watched over with its lit protective arms. I was anticipating that the service was going to be incredibly moving, but I was still unprepared for the emotion it stirred within. Its was a bit of  a trip for me to be standing there reflecting back upon a past that is only accessible to me through the hard work of gallery curators and my own imagination, whilst five metres away from me sat veterans whose heads were full of the images crafted so deftly by historians in textbooks.

The service itself was a powerful juxtaposition of beauty and solemnity as the first slivers of dawn stole quietly over the prayers, the memories of the speakers, and the proud erect figures of those current service men and women. Prior to the commencement of the ceremony I had been speaking to the women next to me, whose great-grandfather and father had served and whose sons were currently serving in the armed forces. As the first notes of the last post broke out across the parade ground, glistening tracks were evident upon her face in the light of the candle she held, and I wondered what this day meant to her. As we stood for two minutes silence reflecting upon that moment the only sound that could be heard was the clanging of the rippling flag against the flagpole as it fought the wind.  I can only imagine what a moving affair it must be for those that take part in the dawn service at Gallipoli Cove.

They shall grow not 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.

Lest we forget.

If you have the time check out this ANZAC multimedia from the SMH – its wonderfully touching.