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"Growing up in Australia today there is a lot we take for granted.
Even in Yass, we have walked past the Honour Rolls in the Memorial Hall
many times without taking a second glance at the names on the walls. But
if we look more closely, we may begin to understand just how lucky
we really are. The names we see on these boards are not just the names
of individuals who fought and died for their country. They are the names
of whole families who lost their boys, boys that went away to fight in
a man's war.
"Cheryl Mongan, in We have not forgotten points out that we recongise
them as ordinary people who became extraordinary by their courage and convictions.
This is exactly what our Yass boys were. Ordinary people
who became extraordinary! Today, the expectations of young people
have changed. We now have personal and political freedom. Today we have
the choices that our grandparents and our great-grandparents fought for.
"We are now able to choose what we want to do with our lives. We now
go to Europe with cameras and suitcases; they went with guns and swags.
We lie on the ground gazing at the sun; they lie six feet under foreign
soil, and some in unmarked graves. These boys, those who died in battle,
those who have died since and those few treasures who are still alive,
live in the hearts and minds of mothers, sisters, fathers, brothers and
whole families. They were young and fresh faced spirits, tackling life
with optimism and hope.
"Today young people can salute these brave young men and women by making
the most of our lives, the type of life that our predecessors fought for.
We'd like to leave you with a quote from a poem by the Turkish leader,
Kemel Ataturk, whose memorial stands on Anzac Pde in Canberra. In 1934
he wrote:
You, the mothers,
Who sent your sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land
They have
Become our sons as well.
"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen." |
