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25/4/04

Anzac Day Address -
Major Duncan Sherman
John 15:9-17

(Whispered) Shall we be seen, or not? That's our anxious question.

'Why don't the Turks fire at us?'

'Look, there's a light!'

   'No, it's only a bright star creeping up behind the hill.'

   …no challenge rings out. How we wish they would fire --- or that we could land …! The suspense is nerve-racking. All we can do is follow the pinnacle towing us about. The thought comes to me that perhaps we are the unfortunate ones to be sacrificed in drawing the enemy's fire, Such a cheerful thought!

   …Oh, why the dickens don't they fire at us! There are a couple lights flashing about – they must have seen us … Crack! Swish! Ping! At last we breathe a sigh of relief, the suspense is over! …some get ashore safely, some are hit slightly, others are drowned in only a couple of feet of water because in the excitement no one notices their plight … One fellow remains in the boat after all the others have disembarked … he … looks at us dazedly, leaning forward on his rifle. A sailor … touches him on the arm, and the soldier falls forward in to the bottom of the boat, dead.

   On the 25th of April 1915, a group of volunteer Australian and New Zealand soldiers found themselves wading ashore before dawn at a small beach on the Gallipoli peninsula in turkey; now known as ANZAC cove. They were members of the Australian and New Zealand army corps, and called themselves ANZACs. Many of these men were only teenagers, some as young as 16. All were anxious to prove that as the representatives of their new nation they would not be found lacking in courage and military ability; and that they could acquit themselves at least as well as the soldiers of older, more established countries of Europe. The events of the first ANZAC day are the unbreakable and permanent foundation for our nation building.

   As I prepared this address, I thought that the word 'ANZAC' is often misunderstood. It is not a place, nor is it a campaign or a war. It is not a ceremony or a parade. The word Anzac comes from words Australian and New Zealand army corps, of which I am sure you are all aware. However, I feel the word Anzac has transcended the physical meaning to signify a spirit – an inspiration which embodies the qualities of courage, discipline, self reliance and sacrifice.

   The ANZAC spirit has been the driving force behind all Australian servicemen and women ever since; in the subsequent campaigns of WWI, WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and more recently, Rwanda, Bougainville, East Timor, Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Solomon Islands.

   Service and sacrifice can take on many forms. The soldiers of Gallipoli, El Alamein, Long Tan (and today in the Middle East, East Timor and the Solomon Islands) could only achieve what they did because of the families and the people of Australia. This too is part of the ANZAC spirit and the dedication and sacrifice of those who support our servicemen and women must also be remembered.

   The fundamental purpose of today is not, and never has been, to glorify war. It is to pay homage to our veterans and those who gave their lives. In doing so, we ensure a recognition by younger generations that peace and freedom have always required a sacrifice in the past. Those we honour have left to Australia a tradition of courage, selflessness and sacrifice.

   Many of the Australian's at Gallipoli showed this spirit of courage, discipline, self-reliance and sacrifice. SGT W. Turnley, a telephone mechanic from Sydney, with 1 Field Company Engineers wrote in his diary on 25 April: "one of our fellows goes out three times to bring in wounded comrades, the third time he is shot through the head and pitches forward on his face within a few feet of his goal." On the exposed hillsides of the first day, death was almost inevitable.

   At lone pine there was also great displays of courage and sacrifice. SGT Archie Barwick, a farmer from Woolbrook in NSW, wrote the following account in his diary:

   "I saw several men sacrifice themselves here, they went to certain death, one chap in particular I remember … we were chasing some Turks round a little sap and they reached the bend first, everyone knew the first man round the corner was a dead one, but this chap never hesitated, he threw himself fair at them, and the six fired together, and fairly riddled him with bullets, that was our chance and we into them, and it was all over in a few minutes."

   The man shared completely, and died bravely. Perhaps he felt his mates expected it of him, and perhaps in different circumstances he would have expected it of them. Only death had conquered his spirit, and the shadow of death hung continually over every man on Anzac.

   The story of CAPT Shout, as recorded in the writings of CPL MacQueen in 1916 provides yet another example of the Anzac spirit of Courage and Sacrifice. CPL MacQueen wrote that over four days Alfred Shout made a name for himself, 'as a LT on the day of the charge at Lone Pine, made a CAPT the next, earned his VC the next, and the next day he died'.

   The total Australian casualties at Gallipoli were 8,587 killed and 19,367 wounded.

   Why then are the stories of men such as CAPT Shout, and the casualty figures, relevant to us now? We, the succeeding generations, have an eternal obligation to remember the efforts of women and men who have served Australia in war. We can honour their contributions by trying to live in the manner they would have expected from us.

   This is a challenge, as outlined in 1946 by a returned RAAF pilot, John Gorton – later Australia's 24th PM. Mr Gorton noted that; "the returned servicemen would seek us to secure advances for our community and our country – to reduce poverty, increase education and improve our spiritual standard of living; and for Australians to take their place in the world, not as a self-sufficient sealed off unit, but as a respected member of the international family". He added that "the foundation stones have been laid in war, so in peace we continue to build".

   Mr Gorton's words are most relevant today, as we face many new challenges, such as preserving our environment, assisting our fellow aboriginal Australians, sheltering refugees seeking asylum in Australia and helping other nations to live peacefully. These are some of the areas in peace on which we as a nation can build. So how do we do this as individuals? Our efforts may not seem much, but it is valuable to reflect on the practical issues that confront us daily, where you and I could contribute to a better Australia. For example:

   Do we work, not just for money, but to contribute?

   Do we play sport with a sporting attitude?

   Do we behave as leaders for our youth?

   I have often noted how nature mimics itself in large and small scale, such as the Coriolis effect as water goes down the sink and in the Milky Way Galaxy. Likewise some events in life mimic the truly significant.

   The sacrifice of our servicemen and women reminds us of the even greater sacrifice, that we remembered just two weeks ago, where Jesus gave up his own life to save ours. Also, as we remember today that the freedom we enjoy as Australians, came at a heavy cost, we should remember the even greater cost that Jesus paid for our freedom from sin and death.

   Australian servicemen and women throughout all conflicts, and even today, willingly sacrifice their personal comforts, safety and even their lives for their country. That includes every Australian, even those who did not support them or the decision to go to war. In this their sacrifice echoes Jesus death on the cross, sacrificing himself for friends and enemies – those who did not deserve it, that is – me, and you.

   All too often, the stories of war retold on Anzac day are sanitised and provide little insight to the true horror of war. In truth, there is nothing glorious in war; there is only tragedy. Even the sacrifice of our servicemen and women is not enough to guarantee our freedom and safety. Those ready to follow on and sacrifice themselves are always required.

   Gallipoli and the Dardanelles campaign was part of the Great War – the war to end all wars! But it was only the opening salvo of a century of war and conflict. This is where the sacrifice of Jesus really differs. His sacrifice was once and for all. His death on the cross will ultimately lead to the fulfilment of Micah's prophecy that; "Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."

   Jesus words in John 15 guide us in how we should seek to respond. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. … This is my command: Love each other."

   Lest we forget.

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	Sermon of the Week	Look up the passage
	25/4/04
	Anzac Day Address - Major Duncan Sherman	John 15:9-17

	(Whispered) Shall we be seen, or not? That's our anxious question.
	'Why don't the Turks fire at us?'
	'Look, there's a light!'
	'No, it's only a bright star creeping up behind the hill.'
	…no challenge rings out. How we wish they would fire --- or that we could land …! The suspense is nerve-racking. All we can do is follow the pinnacle towing us about. The thought comes to me that perhaps we are the unfortunate ones to be sacrificed in drawing the enemy's fire, Such a cheerful thought!
	…Oh, why the dickens don't they fire at us! There are a couple lights flashing about – they must have seen us … Crack! Swish! Ping! At last we breathe a sigh of relief, the suspense is over! …some get ashore safely, some are hit slightly, others are drowned in only a couple of feet of water because in the excitement no one notices their plight … One fellow remains in the boat after all the others have disembarked … he … looks at us dazedly, leaning forward on his rifle. A sailor … touches him on the arm, and the soldier falls forward in to the bottom of the boat, dead.
	On the 25th of April 1915, a group of volunteer Australian and New Zealand soldiers found themselves wading ashore before dawn at a small beach on the Gallipoli peninsula in turkey; now known as ANZAC cove. They were members of the Australian and New Zealand army corps, and called themselves ANZACs. Many of these men were only teenagers, some as young as 16. All were anxious to prove that as the representatives of their new nation they would not be found lacking in courage and military ability; and that they could acquit themselves at least as well as the soldiers of older, more established countries of Europe. The events of the first ANZAC day are the unbreakable and permanent foundation for our nation building.
	As I prepared this address, I thought that the word 'ANZAC' is often misunderstood. It is not a place, nor is it a campaign or a war. It is not a ceremony or a parade. The word Anzac comes from words Australian and New Zealand army corps, of which I am sure you are all aware. However, I feel the word Anzac has transcended the physical meaning to signify a spirit – an inspiration which embodies the qualities of courage, discipline, self reliance and sacrifice.
	The ANZAC spirit has been the driving force behind all Australian servicemen and women ever since; in the subsequent campaigns of WWI, WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and more recently, Rwanda, Bougainville, East Timor, Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Solomon Islands.
	Service and sacrifice can take on many forms. The soldiers of Gallipoli, El Alamein, Long Tan (and today in the Middle East, East Timor and the Solomon Islands) could only achieve what they did because of the families and the people of Australia. This too is part of the ANZAC spirit and the dedication and sacrifice of those who support our servicemen and women must also be remembered.
	The fundamental purpose of today is not, and never has been, to glorify war. It is to pay homage to our veterans and those who gave their lives. In doing so, we ensure a recognition by younger generations that peace and freedom have always required a sacrifice in the past. Those we honour have left to Australia a tradition of courage, selflessness and sacrifice.
	Many of the Australian's at Gallipoli showed this spirit of courage, discipline, self-reliance and sacrifice. SGT W. Turnley, a telephone mechanic from Sydney, with 1 Field Company Engineers wrote in his diary on 25 April: "one of our fellows goes out three times to bring in wounded comrades, the third time he is shot through the head and pitches forward on his face within a few feet of his goal." On the exposed hillsides of the first day, death was almost inevitable.
	At lone pine there was also great displays of courage and sacrifice. SGT Archie Barwick, a farmer from Woolbrook in NSW, wrote the following account in his diary:
	"I saw several men sacrifice themselves here, they went to certain death, one chap in particular I remember … we were chasing some Turks round a little sap and they reached the bend first, everyone knew the first man round the corner was a dead one, but this chap never hesitated, he threw himself fair at them, and the six fired together, and fairly riddled him with bullets, that was our chance and we into them, and it was all over in a few minutes."
	The man shared completely, and died bravely. Perhaps he felt his mates expected it of him, and perhaps in different circumstances he would have expected it of them. Only death had conquered his spirit, and the shadow of death hung continually over every man on Anzac.
	The story of CAPT Shout, as recorded in the writings of CPL MacQueen in 1916 provides yet another example of the Anzac spirit of Courage and Sacrifice. CPL MacQueen wrote that over four days Alfred Shout made a name for himself, 'as a LT on the day of the charge at Lone Pine, made a CAPT the next, earned his VC the next, and the next day he died'.
	The total Australian casualties at Gallipoli were 8,587 killed and 19,367 wounded.
	Why then are the stories of men such as CAPT Shout, and the casualty figures, relevant to us now? We, the succeeding generations, have an eternal obligation to remember the efforts of women and men who have served Australia in war. We can honour their contributions by trying to live in the manner they would have expected from us.
	This is a challenge, as outlined in 1946 by a returned RAAF pilot, John Gorton – later Australia's 24th PM. Mr Gorton noted that; "the returned servicemen would seek us to secure advances for our community and our country – to reduce poverty, increase education and improve our spiritual standard of living; and for Australians to take their place in the world, not as a self-sufficient sealed off unit, but as a respected member of the international family". He added that "the foundation stones have been laid in war, so in peace we continue to build".
	Mr Gorton's words are most relevant today, as we face many new challenges, such as preserving our environment, assisting our fellow aboriginal Australians, sheltering refugees seeking asylum in Australia and helping other nations to live peacefully. These are some of the areas in peace on which we as a nation can build. So how do we do this as individuals? Our efforts may not seem much, but it is valuable to reflect on the practical issues that confront us daily, where you and I could contribute to a better Australia. For example:
	Do we work, not just for money, but to contribute?
	Do we play sport with a sporting attitude?
	Do we behave as leaders for our youth?
	I have often noted how nature mimics itself in large and small scale, such as the Coriolis effect as water goes down the sink and in the Milky Way Galaxy. Likewise some events in life mimic the truly significant.
	The sacrifice of our servicemen and women reminds us of the even greater sacrifice, that we remembered just two weeks ago, where Jesus gave up his own life to save ours. Also, as we remember today that the freedom we enjoy as Australians, came at a heavy cost, we should remember the even greater cost that Jesus paid for our freedom from sin and death.
	Australian servicemen and women throughout all conflicts, and even today, willingly sacrifice their personal comforts, safety and even their lives for their country. That includes every Australian, even those who did not support them or the decision to go to war. In this their sacrifice echoes Jesus death on the cross, sacrificing himself for friends and enemies – those who did not deserve it, that is – me, and you.
	All too often, the stories of war retold on Anzac day are sanitised and provide little insight to the true horror of war. In truth, there is nothing glorious in war; there is only tragedy. Even the sacrifice of our servicemen and women is not enough to guarantee our freedom and safety. Those ready to follow on and sacrifice themselves are always required.
	Gallipoli and the Dardanelles campaign was part of the Great War – the war to end all wars! But it was only the opening salvo of a century of war and conflict. This is where the sacrifice of Jesus really differs. His sacrifice was once and for all. His death on the cross will ultimately lead to the fulfilment of Micah's prophecy that; "Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."
	Jesus words in John 15 guide us in how we should seek to respond. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. … This is my command: Love each other."
	Lest we forget.