Anzac day and how i feel
I've never fought in a war, and given a choice I never will. I hope and pray that I never know what it's like to be surrounded by gunfire or explosions, or witness anyone die by violent and unnatural causes.
If I were interviewed while at a dawn service, or at Gallipoli, or during one of the many marches happening around Australia on Anzac Day, I imagine I would stumble and stutter for the correct words to convey the immense emotions I was feeling, from my position of comfort and privilege.
As a result, I'd appear just as clueless and blank as most of those we see on television, that also have no first hand experience of war.
On previous Anzac Day's after too many beers, I've overheard accusations that Anzac Day glorifies war, and I've fired back
Whether or not Australia should have become involved in any battles, whether or not it was the right thing to do, and whether or not it was necessary, are all arguments for other days.For me, Anzac Day is not about the politics of war. It's about the supreme sacrifice that so many people have given.
Our own life is the most precious gift we have and to risk that, for whatever reason, is a sacrifice that demands respect.
Many times a day I overhear someone complaining about having to do something trivial and inconvenient, and someone else saying, 'poor you. I couldn't imagine anything worse'.
When it comes to war, I really can't imagine anything worse.
Everything I know about war, I know from second and third hand accounts. From veteran's anecdotes and history, I struggle to imagine anything worse.
Anzac Day for me is about reflecting on the reality of war, all that loss, it's ultimate futility and realising it's a last resort that we, as a society, should do our utmost to avoid.
It's about understanding the suffering, and the toll that combat took on their lives.
As Australians, we are so very lucky to have a choice in this point in time, as to whether or not we wish to personally fight in a war, something denied in the past. At the moment in the world, many still don't have that choice.
If I were interviewed while at a dawn service, or at Gallipoli, or during one of the many marches happening around Australia on Anzac Day, I imagine I would stumble and stutter for the correct words to convey the immense emotions I was feeling, from my position of comfort and privilege.
As a result, I'd appear just as clueless and blank as most of those we see on television, that also have no first hand experience of war.
On previous Anzac Day's after too many beers, I've overheard accusations that Anzac Day glorifies war, and I've fired back
Whether or not Australia should have become involved in any battles, whether or not it was the right thing to do, and whether or not it was necessary, are all arguments for other days.
When it comes to war, I really can't imagine anything worse.
Everything I know about war, I know from second and third hand accounts. From veteran's anecdotes and history, I struggle to imagine anything worse.
Anzac Day for me is about reflecting on the reality of war, all that loss, it's ultimate futility and realising it's a last resort that we, as a society, should do our utmost to avoid.
It's about understanding the suffering, and the toll that combat took on their lives.
As Australians, we are so very lucky to have a choice in this point in time, as to whether or not we wish to personally fight in a war, something denied in the past. At the moment in the world, many still don't have that choice.