Reflecting on Anzac Day 2024: A Personal Perspective
Reflecting on Anzac Day this year has been a particularly moving experience for me. The scale of commemoration in Ipswich, the involvement of the community, and the opportunity to participate in the marches, all left a profound impact.
The Main March was another high point of the day. Watching my children who participated in the march, it was a poignant experience to walk in unison with veteran families, school children, and community groups. Observing the crowd that lined the streets, young and old alike showing their respect, was quite an emotional sight.
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.
This Anzac Day has reinforced for me the importance of remembering and honouring those who have served our nation. It's a tradition I feel privileged to be part of, especially in a community like Ipswich that so actively upholds the ANZAC spirit.
In many ways, Anzac Day 2024 helped reaffirm my understanding of what it means to be part of the Ipswich community and, more broadly, the Australian nation. It has also reminded me of our collective responsibility to ensure future generations understand and respect the significance of this day, the history behind it, and the values it represents.
As the echoes of the Last Post fade into the Ipswich night, we are left with the lasting legacy of courage, mateship, and sacrifice that defines Anzac Day. We remember those who served, we honour their sacrifice, and we ensure their stories continue to be told.
I'll hold onto the memory of Anzac Day 2024 as a powerful reminder of our past, our resilience as a community, and our shared commitment to a future built on the values our servicemen and women fought to preserve. Lest we forget.