The essence of our nation is carved out by those who have made the sacrifice for all of us here today. Those who saw the rivers and plains that we see, those who sat under the trees that we sit under, those who enjoyed the family and friends we enjoy, those who had as much reason to stay at home as we do, made the sacrifice to go away, to put their life at risk for the love of their nation.
The St. George district has had a strong and proud history in the service of our nation. It is sobering to think that in one war alone, the First World War, over fifty people from this district payed the supreme sacrifice to protect the freedoms that we are all enjoying here today.
Even today members from the St. George district are serving in our defence forces to protect our nation from the tyrannies of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism that would destroy all that we cherish and if these tyrannies prevail would place our people in servitude.
People left our district in the prime of their lives because predominantly they believed is was the right thing to do and if they didn’t do it other people would have to do it for them. Their families, those they loved, their way of life and their property would all be placed at risk if they did not go.
How little is asked of us today that we only have to remember the sacrifices that were made on our behalf and the sacrifices that are currently being made on our behalf. How fortunate are we that fascism in Nazi Germany did not prevail. That communism did not progress through Indo-China and down through South-East Asia to threaten our nation. How fortunate are we that there are people prepared to fight these battles elsewhere and some are here today, so that we did not have to fight them here, on the sacred soil of our nation Australia. How fortunate are we that currently our troops are fighting the battle in Iraq and Afghanistan so that we don’t have to fight it here at a later stage.
Today is a day that we remember all those who have paid the supreme sacrifice, to all those who were maimed, both physically and psychologically, and all those whose families were broken by the pressures placed on them when a loved one had to leave, on behalf of their nation, for a period of service. We are asked to respect their memories, to honour them this day, to enjoy our nation, its culture and its friendship, because that is the benefaction of their sacrifice.
Today we are asked to just briefly think, what if the nation asked that sacrifice and dedication of me. Would I be prepared to offer as much as they offered? Sometimes when so little is asked of us, such as to man a barbeque or to pick up some papers, we complain. Do we ever think of those who have been asked to lay down their life for our nation? How fortunate are we that this price has been paid.
Anzac Day is but one day of so many days, where the Australian service men and women, have lived through the privations of conflict for the protection of our nation. It could be Kapyong, it could be the Kadoka Track, it could be in the skies over Britain, it could be in the Coral Sea or it could be the Battle of Long Tan. All these days and others should be remembered but we choose one day, amongst many, as a focal point, not to diminish the sacredness of any of the others, but to make sure all our nation stops to say thank you for the sacrifices of so many over time.
After you leave here today, enjoy the views, the beers, the friendships and the culture of our nation, but remember it did not come for free, it has not just happened by chance. It was paid for by the sacrifice of so many and that sacrifice is still being offered by so many today. We should take this moment to pray for the safety and security of those who are currently serving. We are blessed with so much, but one of the greatest blessings of this nation is the calibre of those who are willing to protect it.
LEST WE FORGET