ANZAC Day commemorated at Rosebery Middle School

Photo By Cpl. Angel Serna | Brigadier Mick Ryan, Commander of 1st Brigade, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, greets Marines from 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, during a “Welcome to Country” brief at the Brigade Parade Ground on April 22, 2015 at Robertson Barracks. The Marine Corps and the Australian Defence Force are committed to continuing our tradition of more than 100 years of global partnerships and security cooperation between Australia and the United States of America. U.S. military-ADF relations date back to the early 20th century and include significant conflicts World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released)  

PALMERSTON, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

04.22.2015

Story by Cpl. Angel Serna 

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

ROSEBERY MIDDLE SCHOOL, PALMERSTON, Australia —The sight of blood red poppy flowers lying on the ground along with the scent of rosemary hanging in the air indicates a ceremony long known to all Australians and their military families since the 1920s.

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Centenary was commemorated April 22, at Rosebery Middle School, Palmerston, Australia, with members of the Australian Defence Force and a Marine representative with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2015 present to support, honor and celebrate the heroes who have served and have fallen defending their countries.

Beyond military training, the Marines have much to learn about the customs and cultures of their Australian hosts. Community engagements in the Northern Territory are intended to add depth to the relationship Marines share with Australia.

Traditionally, ANZAC Day is celebrated on April 25 each year but schools throughout Australia honor the holiday earlier while their students learn about what occurred during World War I.

“The best thing about teaching this is that as the students get older, they gain more knowledge, learn about the war in a broader sense and they get to know what a sacrifice is and how that has become a part of war and the meaning of ANZAC Day,” said Megan Hensler, the defence transition mentor at Rosebery Middle School.

In their studies, the children learn that so many young soldiers gave their lives and that information helps teach the significance and meaning of sacrifice, said WO2 Warren Hersant, artificer sergeant major, 1 Aviation Regiment, Australian Defence Force.

“Anyone in the ADF knows the importance of ANZAC Day and the commemoration of all those who have fallen before us,” said Hersant. “I’d say that as a member of the ADF this means a lot to me because I have a family history here. I love being a part of it.”

The ANZAC’s courage and endurance forged a legend that lives on today which is how the ADF remembers and honors the anniversary of their battle.

The commemorative services for ANZAC Day start with services at dawn, the time of the original landing. Later commemorations include parades where active duty service members and retired veterans of each branch join in marches through major cities and many smaller centers.
This weekend’s ceremonies will include the Marines of MRF-D, as requested by the ADF.

For the next six months, the Marines of MRF-D will continue to take part in Australian traditions and train alongside them in multiple exercises designed to strengthen their capabilities and improve interoperability between the allied forces.

• Date Taken: 04.22.2015
• Date Posted: 04.24.2015 02:46
• Story ID: 161096
• Location: PALMERSTON, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AU