Monday, April 25, 2011

ANZAC Day and a tree-based outing

On the 25th April 1915, Australian and New Zealand forces landed at Gallipoli, Turkey, to join allied solders in the fight that was World War I.

By the end of 1915, over 8,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers had died in Turkey.

Over the full course of World War I, 416,809 Australian men enlisted to fight. Of these, over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner*. A combined total of 52%.

Of course, many more men from other countries were also affected. And others would have survived physically, but born the emotional scars for the rest of their lives.

On the 25th April each year, we continue to remember those who fought, those who gave their lives, and those who lost loved ones. In World War I and all the wars since.

Today, I didn't march or attend a memorial ceremony. But I did think of those who had gone to war and I was grateful I could do this in a peaceful country, where I can walk alone without worrying about my safety.



We also headed out of the city today, and the trip to trees, gravel roads and fewer people (although we did pass some very crowded camp sites!) seemed somehow appropriate.


We walked...


Saw strange sap:


Passed multiple route trails...


Climbed hills...




And saw scenery worth stopping for...


Again, all things that I am grateful for having access to in a free country.


What about you? Do you honour any remembrance days (formally or informally), or know anyone (or been yourself) affected by war?

In a non-ANZAC day sense, happy Easter Monday :)


* Statistics from the Australian War Memorial website

5 comments:

  1. What a lovely way to commemorate the lives lost and altered by the war. Beautiful photos, too.

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  2. lovely photos - imagine how much the diggers must have loved coming back to our beautiful bush - it is one of the great things about Australia - sounds like you had a great day

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  3. @Johanna GGG
    I know - such a contrast to the northern European scenery (although I also love that). I sometimes feel very lucky to be able to access bush within an hour or so.

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  4. thanks for sharing the history on that, as a non-history buff USA'er it's new to me. that was a great way to commemorate the holiday and that trail is gorgeous!! :) have a great night! :)

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