ANZAC Day Fremantle

After the Dawn Service in Fremantle this morning.

Anzac Day commemorates the Australians and New Zealanders who fought, who fell, who were wounded and those who died in wars. It also offers respect and thanks to those who did come home. It is said every other family in Australia lost someone in WWI. In that war no other country lost more fine men as a percentage of population that Australia. A day most worthy of rememberance.

The Monument built on a high position overlooking Fremantle and the Indian Ocean is a special place on any day but on Anzac Day every year it is a beautiful peaceful if solemn place to honour and respect the traditions standing before the rising sun.

Every year I have lived in Fremantle I have seen ever greater numbers attend this service. Families drag themselves and their young from warm beds in the early hours, youthful kids stop by after late parties and pubs (and do show real respect), siblings of old diggers, visiting service men and women, indeed visitors from all corners...possibly honouring their own warriors that might have been foes. Respectful. Thoughtful. Peaceful.

A vermillion strip cracked the eastern horizon as the service started and the sky seemed somewhat subdued for a time then as the service drew to a close vibrant colour spread magnificently above the memorial and crowd. Not an eye was left unturned.

I tried to take a subtle shot or two of the service itself but it is this photo that captures the spirit, of respect, of occasion I feel.

Later at the Esplanade and Freo streets, large crowds cheered on serving men and women, school age kids and the few ancient old diggers that left these shores as fit and courageous young men and returned with a quite different view of life and death and politics.

Anzac day falls on the anniversary of the failed attempt to capture the Gallipoli Penninsula, Dardanelles for the Allies in 1915. Modern Anzac day though honours those who have fallen in all campaigns in which Australia and New Zealand have participated - and celebrates those in the services today.

More: more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli_Campaign

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.
We will remember them.


LEST WE FORGET