Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries.
The years have come and gone since World War 1 and we have seen our forces take part in many wars - those "to end all wars" and still we see our young people march away to active service in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have strong and clear memories of friends taking part in active service in Vietnam - those who didn't come home and those who did come home - damaged and who chose to end their lives when the pain became too much.
I remember with great respect all those who gave years of their lives in defence of their country and pay tribute to those who gave their all. I acknowledge the families who lost those they loved - the Mothers, Daughters and Wives who kept the country running by doing the work of men and ran the farms and factories, often with broken hearts as they waited for the news of their loved ones.They scoured the papers reading through the lists and lists of dead.
Still we see the cream of our young folk giving their all and I offer my love and thanks to them, their lovely young wives/husbands and little children whose lives are forever changed and wonder if we will ever learn to live in peace,
Sharing with you a piece I wrote some years ago- In Flanders Fields
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
“In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Have we nothing learned of anything
As the years do come and fly?
Those men who lie in Flanders Fields,
Did they really have to die?
That was the war to end all wars
But we have nothing learned
We have fought again so many times
And bravery medals earned.
The Mothers gazed at photographs
Of their sons so brave and tall,
As they wiped the tears from their eyes
And remembered when they were small.
The knock at the door which brought the news
And told them what they already knew,
That their boys had paid the ultimate price
And they knew what they must do.
They went on with their lives and proudly waved
As the next generation marched away,
They held in their hearts the dreadful ache
And watched at the dawn of the day.
The years have passed and still they march
With the pride of their country their aim.
It’s not just a war but terrorism they fight
And freedom the thing that they claim.
They are young and full of life
And this the core of their story
That many come home – welcomed it’s true
But draped in their country’s glory.
We no longer leave them where they fall
We try to bring them home
We bury them in familiar ground
And no more will they roam.
The medals they won and the uniforms,
The letters and love from their heart
We have learned nothing from Flanders Fields,
It’s just like it was at the start.
© Linda J. Vaughan
June 19th. 2006
I am sharing a recipe which is for a biscuit/cookie that reportedly was made and sent to the boys while they were overseas serving their country - a taste of home.
Anzac biscuits
makes 36
preparation 15 minutes
cooking 25 minutes
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup plain flour, sifted
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
125g butter, chopped
1 tablespoon golden syrup
2 tablespoons boiling water
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1. Preheat oven to moderately slow, 160C. Lightly grease 4 baking trays.
2. In a medium bowl combine oats, flour, sugar and coconut.
3. In a small pan combine butter and golden syrup. Stir over low heat for 2-3 minutes until melted.
4. In a small jug combine water and soda. Stir into butter mixture. Pour into dry ingredients. Mix well.
5. Roll walnut-sized pieces of mixture into balls. Arrange on prepared trays, leaving 4cm space between each biscuit, to allow for spreading. Press lightly to flatten.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Stand 5 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
Sending love and care to all who have family in the Military who live in constant fear for them and yet have hearts almost bursting with pride and admiration for the job they do under very difficult circumstances. Nothing has changed - the fear, the pride, the awful conditions nor the love and support of family and friends.
I recall a couple of years ago when I asked my younger daughter what she was doing on Anzac Day = her reply surprised me and touched my heart. She replied - that she was going into the City and to a Pub and going to buy a "Digger a Beer and say Thank you."
On this sombre and serious day I thank you for taking the time to visit and read "The Musings from My Heart" a heart that remembers and acknowledges the cost of war, the price paid by so many families.
My Gratitude today is:
"I am grateful for Military Families and the men and women who answer the call."
Love and hugs,
The Fureys - The Green Fields of France.
1 comment:
Thank you to all our servicemen, past, present and those in training for what I hope will never come.
For those who the battle never ended, may you find peace.
I leave the rest of the day to all those serving and to those who served, and thanks to a friend for having a rum for my Dad and Pop.
Post a Comment