Ariel:
April 25 is just a few days away -- ANZAC Day in my home country of Australia. We celebrate this day with great reverence and pride. No Australian is allowed to reach the age of six (first year in grade school) without knowing about the incredible bravery of the Australian, New Zealand and British forces who gave their lives gallantly in a noble but hopeless fight, and of the Turks who suffered huge casualties as well. We regard this date as commemorating the birth of our nation, just as July 4th is remembered here.
How many nations celebrate a military catastrophe as their crowning national moment? It is all about unselfish sacrifice and serving one's country -- in short, nationalism. Even though the last surviving ANZAC soldier died a few years ago, no Australian would allow themselves to forget the spirit of the ANZAC soldier, or would harbor any animosity to the noble enemy who inflicted the death and destruction and suffered so much death and destruction too.
Ian.
P.S. If you want some stories of heroism, look up the list of those who received posthumous awards of the Victoria Cross at Gallipoli. The tale of Private Simpson and his donkey is particularly informative.
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Originally Posted by ariel
Perhaps, the most touching is the letter Ataturk (who defeated the British forces at Gallipoli), sent to the families of the fallen ANZAC soldiers.
"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway 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."
The Australians erected a memorial to Ataturk in Canberra on which these words are engraved.
Say what you want, guys, but these people are awe inspiring.
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