Photo By Tech. Sgt. Carlos Trevino | Military members from five coalition nations and the United States assembled for ANZAC...... read more read more
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Military members from Australia, New Zealand, France, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States assembled at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia before dawn to commemorate Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day on April 25, 2016.
The name ANZAC, an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, refers to a memorial holiday marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I according to the Australian War Memorial website. The annual memorial continues to recognize the sacrifices made by today’s military members and their families.
“ANZAC day is not just remembering the past and the sacrifice of those who have gone before us; it is also a chance for a nation to thank its current serving military members,” said The Commander Air Task Group, Air Commodore Antony Martin, who presided over the ceremony and commands approximately 30 Australian Defence Force personnel assigned to the U.S.-led Combined Air and Space Operations Center.
“More importantly, [ANZAC Day] remembers the sacrifice that they and their families continue to make sacrifices in the service to all of our respective nations,” he said.
The timing of the ceremony beginning in the early morning hours is steeped in war time strategy. According to the Australian War Memorial website, the half-light of dawn was one of the times favored for launching an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were woken in the dark before dawn, so by the time first light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert, and manning their weapons.
A catafalque party - a traditional detail of military personnel similar to an honor guard - raised the flags of Australia, New Zealand, France, Turkey, and the United Kingdom from half-staff to the peak of the flag pole in honor of the soldiers who were serving those five nations on April 25, 1915. The ceremony also included a reading of letters written by Australian and New Zealander soldiers during World War I along with the playing of the two countries’ respective national anthems.
In addition to recognizing ANZAC Day nations, Martin also paid tribute to the nations gathered at the ceremony.
"Sacrifice is not unique to Australia and New Zealand, but true of all the nations present here today of whose serving men women continue to make sacrifices for all our respective nations," he said. "Not everyone can do what we do. The profession-of-arms is a unique and honorable field,” Martin said. “Therefore, today is a day to be proud of serving in the military and know that we are doing our best to make the world a better place.”
For many Australians, like Air Force Cpl. Nicci Freeman, an Australian Air Force imagery specialist, there is a family connection to the memorial holiday.
“My grandfather’s uncle landed on the shores of Gallipoli and was later killed in action on the 25th of August, 1915. He is remembered with honor at the Helles Memorial in Turkey,” said Freeman, who has served in the Australian Defence Force for more than 16 years.
"As I reflect on the history of the ANZAC tradition and how it has shaped the close bond between the Australian and New Zealand nation, I am humbled to stand here this morning as part of a wider multinational coalition working together and building similar bonds in combatting the current terrorist threat in Iraq and Syria," Martin said.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2016 09:16 |
| Story ID: | 203180 |
| Location: | AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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