Lest We Forget

In 1920 Australia and New Zealand created ANZAC day. ANZAC means Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This is an offical national holiday to honour those that fought in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. Since then it has been an memorial day, extended to honour ALL who served and died in World Wars, including the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Anzac day is a public holiday marked by religious services and ceremonies in which veterans participate.

These events occurred 109 years ago and still today we pay our tribute to the soldiers that fought in these wars. Many young men died and many lives are affected, not only the lives of the men, but the mothers, wives, children and friends of those that battled.

"The Oxford English Dictionary defines "war" as: (1) A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country; (2) a state of competition or hostility between different people or groups, or (3) a sustained campaign against an undesirable situation or activity.

Could we say that no one wins any war? Wars are fought but never truly won as the lives of all are impacted.

Is Humanity still at war? Currently there are more than 13 wars around the world. In this modern world, how can this be so? How can we call ourselves a progressive civilization when war still holds us in conflict?

Why are we still at war? Could it be that we are still in conflict with each other? In families we have competition, comparison trying to win the love and respect of others, wanting to be the best, pushing to be individuals, and not a team, wanting to own more than others, greed and power. And this is just in the playground. In our homes and with our families we know the battles that are lost due to conflict and disharmony.

Until we address the conflict within our own lives, we will have war. The wars begin when we are in conflict.

The possibilities of war are endless. Among these are economic gain, territorial gain, religion, nationalism, civil war, and political revolution.

Today as we honour our soldiers let's take a moment to look around our own lives and look at were their is conflict and how we can support ourselves and those that we love to be in harmony. In the end we all know that everything begins at home.

Lest we Forget