For many ANZAC day is just another public holiday. For as long I can
remember ANZAC day has been an important date on the Thompson Calender. I am
most definitely not a morning person but on the 25th of April, I
don’t mind waking up early.
To me ANZAC day is just as important as Christmas or my birthday. For the past 15 years my family have commemorated ANZAC day, by going to either an ANZAC March or the local dawn service, commemorated ANZAC day. My grandfather, although we never met, fought in Timor in the Second World War. This aspect of war seems so foreign to me which makes it even scarier. The idea of saying goodbye to my dad, brother, or friends for them to go fight for their, our, country is an unimaginable thought.
I guess that is why I don’t mind waking up early of ANZAC day. I feel
it is the least I can do to say thank you, and even though the ANZACs aren’t
still around it is showing my respect for all those, past and present, who have
risked their lives for my freedom.
I think that because it holds such an important place for my family,
my parents have always tried to make the day special. Even though it is
completely my choice to wake up early, I feel an obligation to wake up and
attend a daily service. 
Like Christmas morning the day has somewhat of a routine for us.
Waking up attending the service, seeing familiar faces from our neighbourhood
with tired eyes, and then coming home to my families very own ‘gun-fire’
breakfast and if we are lucky, an ANZAC day lunch.
ANZAC day has taught me a lot. From the ANZAC legend of mateship and
courage and their true meaning to things that help me honour my Australian
heritage, being proud and subtly showing how proud and lucky I am.
Till Next Time…
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