It Is Sweet And Noble To Die For Ones Country!!!

Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Partri Mori (L.)

(It Is Sweet And Noble To Die For Ones Country)

Standing silently in the memorial gardens…holding a wreath of poppies in hand, in solemn remembrance…of the brave young men now at peace from a distant land. On the 25th April…they and their comrades advanced on Gallipoli with hidden fear, where two Commonwealth Nations fought as one…the ANZAC of the Southern Hemisphere.

The youth of Australia and New Zealand…marching with British pride and dignity, who went into battle like “Lambs to the slaughter”…for the likes of you and me. With rifles loaded and bayonets fixed…the bugler sounded the attack, and they advanced with valour in search of glory…with no thoughts of turning back.

With “Waltzing Matilda” resounding heartily…from deep within the ranks, these brave hearts were mercilessly cut down…by artillery…guns and tanks. Thousands of dead or dying alone…injured and in incredible pain, who gave their lives for freedom in all nations…and didn’t die in vain.

Such heroic souls may have lost the battle…but in death they won the war, as their selfless sacrifice has ensured…that dictatorships flourish no more. With this in mind I slowly approach the war memorial…with gratefulness deep inside, before shedding a quiet tear…for each and every one of these brave men who died.

I place my wreath of poppies…then silently return to my accompanying ranks, where as one we bow our heads with respect…and share a prayer of thanks. As the “Last Post” finally dies away…I salute their memory in the usual way, before whispering…I will be back…every April on the 25th day.

(c) Suzanne Marcuslee (Twilight Tears & Memories) 1998