After ANZAC Day – Freedom in Central Australia

ANZAC day passed over a week ago, but its spirit remains. We live in the shadow of those who have gone before. We see days they never saw but for which they sacrificed all. Our future was purchased with blood.

We live in a country that is a functioning democracy. We live in a country where there is predominantly national peace. It is not a perfect country, but it is ours, and by reflecting on the blessings we hold in our hand, we can count ourselves lucky.

Uluru from a distance in Central Australia (Photo credit: Megan Clark)

These advantages came at a price. Our nation has faced war on multiple fronts, both on this continent, and overseas. All of us have lost someone and we know what grief is. We carry in our hearts the memories of those who will never come home. The sorrow and terror of conflict still haunts us today and we must never take our freedom for granted.

ANZAC Day in Central Australia begins as dawn breaks. There are marches and ceremonies, medals, and stories of gallantry. Each person who fell in our defense has a name, even if we do not know what it is. Each person has a story, a family, hope and dreams. These have been buried that we might live.

Lest we forget.