Coalition airmen observe day of remembrance

  • Published
  • By Maj. Chad Steffey
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Airmen from six partner nations gathered at the memorial plaza for a dawn service to observe Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day April 25 here.

A national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC Day is commemorated April 25 every year by both countries to honor members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought in Turkey during World War I. Much like Memorial Day in the United States, ANZAC Day pays tribute to all who have served in military operations for their country.

Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Charles Vandepeer spoke about the history of ANZAC Day and its importance to the people of Australia and New Zealand.

"We do not celebrate victory or glorify war, we celebrate the triumph of human valor, the spirit of ANZAC."

Considered Australia's most important national occasion, ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the 1915 offensive to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey and open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The campaign lasted eight months and more than 8,000 Australian soldiers died.

Observed by Australians and New Zealanders around the world, the ANZAC Day service is traditionally held at dawn as a symbolic link to the Gallipoli landing. Participants offer prayers, recount the battle, sing hymns, lay wreaths, lower the flags to half mast and observe a period of silence. Participants also recite the Ode of Remembrance and raise the flags again at first light as a bugler sounds "Reveille."

Senior officers from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France each laid a wreath at the bases of the flag poles here.

RAAF Air Commodore Neil Hart, the Combined Air and Space Operations Center director, and Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, the deputy Combined Force Air Component commander, were among the distinguished participants.

As the flags were lowered to half mast, Staff Sgt. Mark Nixon, a member of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band, sounded the last post bugle call.

After a moment of silence, RAAF Flying Officer Bronwyn Rowe recited the traditional ode.

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old," he said. "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."

And the audience replied together, "We will remember them, lest we forget."