Today is April 25th a day when we pause to remember the fallen soldiers. Anzac Day was originally a day to remember the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in World War I but nowadays it remembers those who fought in both World Wars, other conflicts and also peacekeeping missions. Dawn services are held in every Capital City across Australia and New Zealand and of course Gallipoli, Turkey (known as Anzac Cove) the site where many solders were killed or wounded in World War 1.
At each service the poem "The Fallen" is read and was written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 and below is just an extract.
"With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
To all the soldiers who were killed or wounded and to those still currently serving today we say thankyou.
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