I wasn’t too sure what to expect, as I had never attended a service like this, and as many others, treated Anzac Day in the past as more of a public holiday than a sombre period of reflection.
Alongside fellow students, who heard from war veterans, past and present and their close relatives we were able to lay a wreath at the marble memorial, I think it was confronting to hear of their experiences, their sacrifice, and the lasting impact it has on those around them.
It also impacts us in the wider community. Aside from the glorification of war in video games and in film, the sacrifice of the Anzac is one which often goes unnoticed, but we should cherish it everyday because they afforded us our freedom to this very day. Anzac Day is a day for commemoration rather than glorification. And in recognising this, I believe my fellow prefects and I really understood what the Ode and the Last Post symbolise.
Service men and women, past or currently serving, have given and are prepared to give the ultimate sacrifice of their lives, alongside their loyalty, courage and strength.This sac rifice is something we would all find extremely difficult to make.
So what we should do is: at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them, lest we forget.
Dominic Marino
Year 12 Student