Attended the Dawn Service of the ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) held at the Elephant Rock at the Currumbin Beach in Goldcoast,Queensland,Australia. It was attended by thousands of people but amazingly it was so solemn and overwhelming that even your whisper can be heard…the hymn “Nearer My God To Thee” was played when tribute to the soldiers was read.It was the most silent parade that I have ever seen that even the horses’ gallops of the cavalry could not be heard. The sounds of the trumpets blown for the bugle are music to the ears mixed with the breaking of the waves to the rocks. The Australian National Anthem and New Zealand National Anthem were sang. Prayers and Wreaths were offered and honours rendered to the Veterans. The Ceremony started at 4:45AM until the morning has broken on or before 6:00AM. The Chaplain’s message was truly a salute to the men and women in uniforms who served and are still serving… He said that men/women in the profession of arms are great examples of courage and values because every time they wear their uniforms,go to the front for their service,put their lives at stake to protect their men and comrades on the fields… they are not working for “resumé values” but it would be “eulogy values”…for their heroic deeds couldn’t be written but only remembered…
“Lest We Forget”…
The Dawn Service is a commemoration of the landing of ANZAC on a beach in the island of Gallipoli as a contingent of the allied forces to conquer Constantinople which is Istanbul,Turkey now… upon their arrival they were met with fierce resistance and lost thousands of soldiers…the hardships and fight lasted for 8 months until the remaining soldiers were able to integrate to the rest of the Australian Forces…
It was at dawn on April 25,1915…
I will not be home this year to attend any ANZAC Day Ceremony which I don’t think will happen in a big public gathering, but the bravery of the men and women in uniforms on the ANZAC Day will always be remembered.
“LEST WE FORGET”