It’s time for an education.

Just some things that current and former, members of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Force would like to point out prior to ANZAC Day on 25 April:

1. We commemorate ANZAC Day, not celebrate it.  It’s not a bloody party. 

2. Wednesday 25th April 2018 marks the 103rd anniversary of the landing of ANZAC Soldiers, Sailors, Medical personnel and animals on Gallipoli. 

3. Sailors rowed Soldiers ashore during the Gallipoli landings, under heavy fire, without outboards motors.  The little boats they used are called ‘lighters’.

4. It’s a bugle, not a trumpet, and the Last Post is sounded, not played.  It’s not a bloody dance tune.

5. Not every serviceman/woman was a ‘soldier’.  Some were Sailors, Airmen and Nursing Sisters.  Please take the time to ascertain what Service they served in, and use the correct terminology.  It means a lot to them/us!

6. No, I am not wearing my father’s medals, they are mine.  I earned them during Active Service while you were enjoying all the comforts that I was dreaming of. 

7. They’re medals, not badges.  They’re citations, not pins. 

8. Please don’t try to draw comparisons between civilians and war veterans, I’ve never seen a civilian perform acts of heroism whilst under fire to protect their fellow service personnel, Flag and Country.

9. Medals, ribbons and Unit Citations are EARNED, not WON.  It’s not a bloody chook raffle.  They are awarded to the recipient, not given to them.

10. The RED POPPY symbolises peace, death and sleep of the fallen servicemen/woman.  While the PURPLE Poppy represents remembrance of the animal victims of war.  Learn the difference. 

11. ‘Lest We Forget’ isn’t a throwaway line, it actually has meaning: it’s an expression of remembrance, par excellence.  It has dignified origins, a rich history. 

12. Yes, I am allowed to wear my ‘Return From Active Service’ badge on any day of the year that I choose to wear it. 

13. Australian and New Zealand soldiers didn’t retreat from Gallipoli, they withdrew. 

14. It doesn’t matter which side you wear your Poppy on, as long as it’s worn with pride.

15. The ‘Ode’ comes from the poem “For the Fallen”, which was written by Laurence Binyon. The verse, which is commonly known as ‘The Ode Of Remembrance’, is as follows:

“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.”
Lest We Forget.

Here endeth the lesson.