Anzac Day: A day of remembrance for all beings

I personally had trouble typing my own thoughts about this topic, but remembering all beings who serve, have served and that have fallen, in any land, time or place due to war, means a lot to me, so because I couldn’t put all of my own words together for a decent post, I will sometimes use the words of others.

I have very strong feelings of sadness for those who have lost due to war, but also for the animals who were forced to give their lives, to and for humans.

On this day of remembrance I would like to share what I have found:

Over 16 million animals served in World War I

There were 136,000 horses, but only one came home, a horse called Sandy.

Pigeons carried crucial letters at war, even when injured and saved thousands of lives, they were the first animals to receive war medals.

Dogs also sent messages, caught enemies, informed soldiers of gas attacks, and helped find wounded soldiers.

Duffy the donkey supported hundreds of wounded soldiers back to safety.

Simon the cat helped kill the infestation of rats.

There was also many animals bought along to boost morale; bears, kangaroos, monkeys, lions.

Dogs, horses, donkeys, camels, pigeons, cats and more, all played a vital role, in helping humans survive at war.

I think sometimes we forget, its not a party or a day off work to drink too much with friends at pubs, but a day to realize and remember the horrors and life of war.

A post I found on Facebook by Shaun Buckney:

1. We commemorate ANZAC Day, not celebrate it. It’s not a bloody party. 

2. Tuesday 25 April 2017 marks the 102nd anniversary of the landing of ANZAC Soldiers, Sailors, Medical personnel and animals on Gallipoli. 
3. Sailors rowed Soldiers ashore during the Gallipoli landings, under heavy fire, without outboards motors. The little boats they used are called ‘lighters’.
4. It’s a bugle, not a trumpet, and the Last Post is sounded, not played. It’s not a bloody dance tune.
5. Not every serviceman/woman was a ‘soldier’. Some were Sailors, Airmen and Nursing Sisters. Please take the time to ascertain what Service they served in, and use the correct terminology. It means a lot them/us!!! 
6. No I am not wearing my father’s medals, they are mine. I earned them during Active Service while you were enjoying all the comforts that I was dreaming of. 
7. They’re medals, not badges. They’re citations, not pins. 
8. Please don’t try to draw comparisons between civilians and war veterans, I’ve never seen a civilian perform acts of heroism whilst under fire to protect their fellow service personnel, flag and Country.
9. Medals, ribbons and Unit Citations are EARNED, not WON. It’s not a bloody chook raffle. They are awarded to the recipient, not given to them.
10. The RED POPPY symbolises peace, death and sleep of the fallen servicemen/woman. While the PURPLE Poppy represents rememberance of the animal victims of war. Learn the difference. Traditionally, Rosemary is worn on ANZAC Day; however, the Poppy has become popular through the generations and is widely worn on both ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day Services. 
11. ‘Lest We Forget’ isn’t a throwaway line, it actually has meaning: it’s an expression of remembrance, par excellence. It has dignified origins, a rich history. 
12. Yes, I am allowed to wear my ‘Return From Active Service’ badge on any day of the year that I choose to wear it. 
13. Australian and New Zealand soldiers didn’t retreat from Gallipoli, they withdrew. 
14. It doesn’t matter which side you wear your Poppy on, as long as it’s worn with pride.
15. Medal recipients wear their medals on the left side of their chest covering their heart, family members/descendants wear the medals on the right. 
16. The ‘Ode’ comes from the poem “For the Fallen”, which was written by Laurence Binyon. The verse, which is commonly known as ‘The Ode Of Rememberance’, is as follows: 

“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.”Lest We Forget.

An image that popped up on my Facebook feed.  Even though I haven’t lived Harry’s life or experienced what he has, I still can very strongly relate and agree to his quote.

Harry Patch:

So, today, as well as remembering those we have lost due to war, I would like to remind everyone that war brings so much death and sadness, not only to humans, but to all living beings.

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Lest We Forget