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Flt Lt Howard Robinson (ret) taking the salute at the ANZAC Day march in Esk. |
“At the going down of
the sun, and in the morning. We shall
remember them”. This the promise
adhered to every year on April 25th by those of us given the
privilege of being part of this important anniversary when we commemorate the
mateship, loyalty, courage and sacrifice of our forefathers and all those who
have followed in their footsteps in the service of our Nation, whether in times
of war or peace.
This ANZAC spirit was evident again in 2017 when huge crowds lined
Ipswich Street, Esk or gathered early at the Cenotaph at Esk’s Memorial Park
where, having marched to the beat of the wonderful Brisbane Brass Band, the parade
of veterans, their descendants, community groups and clubs congregated with
members of the public and special guests for a moving tribute hosted by Esk
RSL’s President, Charlie Elwell, to all who have served their country with
distinction and honour.
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Flt Lt Catherine Freind (RAAF) |
Following Charlie’s welcome and the National Anthems of
Australia and New Zealand sung proudly by our own Maree and Susie, a tribute to
the ANZACS by Mayor Graeme Lehman and Father Hegarty’s prayer for the fallen,
guest speaker, Flt Lt Catherine Freind (RAAF) spoke of those ‘great’ events in
history not necessarily remembered for that which they are but for the
qualities of the human spirit, the determination, mateship and sacrifice
displayed and the values placed on the freedoms for which they were fought.
Margaret Shepherd’s emotional delivery of her poem ‘The Cenotaph’ surely embraced
the poignancy of the occasion for all.
Equally heart-felt, though perhaps on a somewhat different level, was
the flyover by the RAAF’s F/A-18F Super Hornet which had all faces turned
skyward for that brief thrill of supreme power and throughout the morning was
the beautiful singing of hymns by the choir led by Alexis and accompanied by
both Margaret and the Brisbane Brass Band, our own Janette Thomas’s son a
significant part of this ensemble of talented musicians.
Many came forward for the Laying of Wreaths as the Band
played Waltzing Matilda/The Last Post and during the Choir’s rendition of “Soul
of Australia” the Veterans gathered in respect of their fallen. Following Matthew Lukritz’s always faultless
playing of The Last Post and Reveille and the ceremonious departure of the
Catafalque Party, people dispersed to savour the events of the morning and feel
grateful.
Eighty- three nations around the world have war graves in
which Australians have been laid to rest. In 1934 the President of Turkey wrote
in a tribute to those who died at Gallipoli; “You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Your sons are now
lying in our bosom in peace. After
losing their lives on this land they have become our sons as well”. That these soldiers were able to suppress a
determined enemy and by doing so, enrich the lives of the nations in which they
served is honourable and a sacrifice unparalleled. ANZAC Day is an opportunity for all to reflect with gratitude all those who
have served our nations, to think about those lost and appreciate those whose company
we can now enjoy and treasure.
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Karen Chin and Jan Jennings had the honour of laying the wreath. |
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The Choir ready to participate in the ceremony |
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The Thomas's |
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