Anzac Day

Whether or not Australia should have become involved in any battles, whether or not it was the right thing to do, and whether or not it was necessary, are all arguments for other days.

For me, Anzac Day is not about the politics of war. It’s about the ultimate sacrifice that so many people have given. Our own life is the most precious gift we have and to risk that, for whatever reason, is a sacrifice that demands respect.

Many times a day I overhear someone complaining about having to do something trivial and inconvenient, and someone else saying, ‘poor you. I couldn’t imagine anything worse’.

When it comes to war, I really can’t imagine anything worse.

Everything I know about war, I know from second and third hand accounts. From veteran’s anecdotes and history, I struggle to imagine anything worse.

Anzac Day for me is about reflecting on the reality of war, all that loss, it’s ultimate futility and realising it’s a last resort that we, as a society, should do our utmost to avoid.

It’s about understanding the suffering, and the toll that combat took on their lives and the lives of their families.

As Australians, we are so very lucky to have a choice in this point in time, as to whether or not we wish to personally fight in a war, something denied in the past. At the moment in the world, many still don’t have that choice.

There’s been some negative press around the military lately, however, if we as a country are fine to let someone risk their life in our name, we’re obligated to do everything we can to support that life afterwards.

So that’s what I’ll be doing this Anzac Day. Never forgetting the horror that is war and those who died in combat, and reflecting on how we should never stop caring for all those who’ve come home.