Remembering our Heroes

This morning I woke up at 5am to attend in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Darwin Cenotaph.

This is probably most important national occasion for Australia and New Zealand . It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

[caption id="attachment_4018" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Crowds gather at an ANZAC Day dawn service at Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory in Australia.[/caption]

The service started at exactly 6am with a an introduction, hymn and Wreathlaying from different dignitaries, singing the National Anthem of Australia and New Zealand and prayer from Military chaplain. During the Dawn Service the atmosphere was very solemn and I felt something different and realize how lucky we are today. Because of their sacrifice, we have democracy and freedom to cherish.

[caption id="attachment_4019" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ANZAC Parade along Knuckey St.[/caption]

After the service, I went to Smith Mall to wait for the Annual ANZAC Day Parade. Despite the burning heat, kids, young and old line up along Knuckey Street to witness the Parade .

To recall, The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders.

What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships.