To day 25th April, is a very special day for New Zealanders and Australians as we celebrate ANZAC Day, to commemorate those who died in World War 1 in Gallipoli (Turkey). ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and 25th of April is the day thousands of Australian and New Zealand men and women, landed on the shores of Gallipoli. Every year there are traditions and rituals, to mark those that never returned, such as the Dawn parade, and dawn service, during which there is the laying of wreaths, children and families and friends march alongside the older service men and women to local war memorials. Many of these are followed by a minute’s silence and a reading of the ANZAC dedication. A lone bugle blower sounds out the Last Post as the sun rises.
Later everyone retires to the RSA, (Return Servicemens Association) for breakfast where veterans and their families enjoy a time of remembrance and relaxation. A third of New Zealanders alone were killed during the Gallipoli war.
Poppy Day is usually celebrated the Friday before ANZAC Day as a remembrance of ALL people who have died in ALL wars and worn for a few days as a sign of remembrance.
ANZAC Biscuits are a popular biscuit made in New Zealand and sent by families to their loved ones during the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Both Australia and New Zealand claim to have invented them.
This website has a beautiful picture showing the Auckland War Museum covered in pictures and film clips of World War 1 and ANZAC Parades of yester-year…. http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/1727/anzac-events
The following is a children’s book on ANZAC Day ….
By Glyn Harper and Illustrated by Bruce Potter, Published by: Raupo Publishing (NZ) Ltd
Quote from the Christchurch Library…..Story of Roly, the donkey who became New Zealander Richard Henderson’s donkey during the First World War campaign at Gallipoli. Together they collected wounded soldiers from the battlefield and transferred them to Anzac Cove to board hospital ships
Here are a couple of website to enlighten… http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-gallipoli-campaign/introduction
http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/anzac-day/
They shall not grow old, as we that are left to 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.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
I never thought about New Zeland and wars, especially World War 1 in Gallipoli. I know WWII involved the Australia and New Zeland with Japanese. Sounds like a lovely tribute and the museum is lovely. So how involved is your country in what is happening in the world? Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed learning something new.
Even though we are on the other side of the globe New Zealanders have always been aware of what is happening in the world and often been called upon to lend our troups as American allies. Currently in Afghanistan there is a Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Providence as well as in compat. There is an Infrantry Regiment in East Timor under the Australian comand of the ANZAC. As well there is a small section in the Solomon Islands. Appart from these there is a number of NZ Personnel in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions around the world and in multinational Force and Observations.
Hope that answered your questions Pat, thanks for commenting.
Yes, thanks. Don’t know why that hadn’t occurred to me before. Maybe it’s because you don’t talk about it.
Pingback: We Remember, with Gratitude | My Magnificent Mess
This sounds very much like the way we commemorate the 11th of November, Remembrance Day (the day the Armistice ending the 1st World War was signed), and our Royal Canadian Legion quotes the same poem, “They shall not grow old…”
I have heard of ANZAC Day, but didn’t realize it was so similar to Remembrance Day.
Yes Beth it is the same as your Remembrance Day in November. I think when you have mentioned it before, I thought it strange it was so late in the year, but I guessed each country is different. Thanks for commenting.
Happy ANZAC Day! My great grandfather fought in WWII. He is still alive and sometimes says things about the war. I enjoyed learning about New Zealand and Australia in the wars. The museum sounds like a great place to visit. I like the message of your post.
Thankyou Erik. Glad you enjoyed my post. Make the most of listening to your grandfathers stories… they will be interesting. Thanks again Erik.
Lovely tribute to ANZAC Day Diane.
Hi! Thankyou my dear.