Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Guttierrez III | Sailors and Marines attached to the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Edward Guttierrez III
Expeditionary Strike Group 2 Public Affairs
USS BATAAN - Sailors and Marines attached to the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, and the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2d MEB) attended a sunrise ceremony in commemoration of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day April 25.
The event, which is celebrated annually, was held in honor of those fallen during the World War I Gallipoli Campaign and includes military partners from brought together military partners from Australia, France, Turkey, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States currently onboard participating in exercise Bold Alligator 2013.
“There is no better occasion to take an operational pause, and to welcome this dawn together – among our allies—in commemoration of ANZAC day,” said Rear Adm. Ann C. Phillips, commander of ESG- 2 during opening remarks.
“ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first major military engagement fought by Australia and New Zealand during World War I. In a bold move to capture Gallipoli Peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles strait to Allied navies; forces from Australia and New Zealand landed at Gallipoli, battling the Ottoman Turkish military for 8 months, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides,” said Phillips.
For many of the service members in attendance the ceremony proved to be a cultural learning experience.
“This event is very familiar for anyone that grew up in a commonwealth country,” said Lt. Robert Bartholomew, medical division officer aboard Bataan.
“The celebration gave our Sailors the opportunity to see how other countries, particularly our allies, recognize the sacrifices of their service members.”
In addition to bridging the cultural gap, Bartholomew believes it was helpful for building relationships in the exercise as well.
“We have been onboard for some time working together, but the ceremony gave everyone the opportunity to interact with more people than they may have otherwise.”
Other participants agree that the sunrise ceremony was well deserving of an operational pause, and that it strengthened camaraderie across the partners participating in Bold Alligator.
“ANZAC day is an important day of reflection and remembrance of those who have served before us and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to preserve the freedoms that we fortunately enjoy today,” said Lt. Col. Simeon Ward with the Australian Army.
For Australian native and Bataan crewmember Electronics Technician 2nd Class Patrick Moore, the ceremony truly hit home.
“This is the first time that I have celebrated ANZAC day in America,” said Moore, “I never expected this ever to happen, that I would be able to celebrate ANZAC day in America with the Australian and New Zealand Navies and the Marine Corps. I appreciated it.”
“The campaign at Gallipoli had a global impact. Because of the efforts there, today we stand on a warship built exclusively for amphibious operations,” said Brig. Gen. John Love, commanding general of 2d MEB. “I am honored to stand side by side with our Coalition partners from Australia, France, Turkey, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in recognition of the bravery of the men who sacrificed their lives for their country.”
For many of the attendees, the importance of celebrating an event originating in their respective countries while participating in Bold Alligator was equally appreciated and proved to be a success.
“I think the ceremony was a fantastic event, and again, I would like to restate my thanks to Brig. Gen. Love, Rear Adm. Phillips and the ship’s captain and crew for allowing us to conduct the ceremony and for hosting us in such a fantastic way,” said Ward.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2013 18:51 |
| Story ID: | 105942 |
| Location: | USS BATAAN, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 445 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Bataan Sailors and Marines Celebrate ANZAC Day with Australian, New Zealand Servicemembers, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
