Aussies & New Zealanders gather at sunrise ceremony
98 years ago 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders who formed ANZACS, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at a “Bay” located in the Gallipoli Peninsula, The Anzac Bay to start a campaign against the Ottoman Empire as part of WW1.
Thousands of these brave men fell in a most fierce battle against Turkish (Ottoman at the time) forces defending their country.
Almost a century after these unforgettable and bitter memories thousands of Australians and New Zealanders were present at a sunrise ceremony, to commemorate the 98th anniversary of their ancestors who lost thier lives in said battle.
The grand children of ANZACS visited their ancestors’ graves in very emotional manner and listened to the meaningful speeches delievered by Australia Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Warren Snowdon, New Zealand Minister of Defense Dr. Jonathan Coleman and more.
The Australian, New Zealand and Turkish flags were raised during the ceremony in which two minutes of silence was held in honor of the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish soldiers who lost their lives in the battle.
Royal Australian Air Force Band and the New Zealand Air Force Band played the national anthems followed by a prayer ceremony for those killed in battle to rest in peace.
Speaking at the ceremony, The Australian Minister of Veteran Affairs Warren Snowdon made a speech saying “Our Turkish adversaries, underestimated at first and defending their homeland, were the victors here on the peninsula. This battle is now a hallmark in defining our nationhood and what we see as important in terms of mateship, service, sacrifice, courage and commitment.”
New Zealand Minister of Defense Dr. Jonathan Coleman also made a speech and said “I would like to extend our very sincere thanks to our Turkish hosts on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand for their gracious hospitality over many, many years. The Turkish people suffered terrible casualties defending their homeland. Over 87,000 sons of Turkey are known to have fallen here. And yet we are welcomed back here every year, with friendship and warmth, to pay our respects to the fallen. Thank you for making these commemorations possible, and for preserving these sites, which are sacred to us all.”
After the ceremony, the Australians that had come out paid a visit to their ancestors at the Kanlı Sırt cemetery, while the New Zealanders attended a ceremony held at Chunuk Bair in commemoration of their fallen ancestors who died in battle there.
This ceremony is repetaed every year by grand children of ANZACS who have made the tradition of attending the annual commemoration a form of pilgrimage.
26.04.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
