I have never once considered, in all seriousness, joining any of the armed services. The thought of going to war terrifies me. I'm not ashamed to admit that. It's precisely this feeling that makes Anzac Day so momentous to me. The idea that someone I have never me, nor am I likely to meet, feels strongly enough about this country and its citizens that they would put their own life on the line is mind-blowing to me.
I have known people who have served or still serve. Friends, family, former boyfriends. It's not an easy life, for them or for their families, but it's one that people sign up for, not because they have to but because they want to. It may not be volunteering, in the strictest sense of the word. It is a job, after all, but a job that is far bigger and more important than the monetary recompense they receive for doing it.
Yesterday, I had to read The Ode, which is taken from "For the Fallen", a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon. It is a mere four lines long. As a writer, I try to be eloquent and evoke emotion when and where I can, yet reading those four lines almost had my in tears. Even the process of writing about it brings a tear to my eye, and i haven't even known anyone who was lost in battle. If i had, i would be an absolute wreck.
Today, I was also in tears. Watching the Anzac Day service from Gallipoli made me wish that i had more time to ask my Grandfather about him time in service. I was 9 years old when he died and it didn't occur to me as a child to ask. As a teenager, i was told that he didn't talk about it. I wish I'd had the opportunity to ask.
I can't imagine how hard it must be for vets to talk about what they went through. What they saw and who they lost must weigh heavily upon them. I'm not sure that talking about it or writing their memories or thoughts down would ever convey the extent of the emotions involved but for those of us who have never known the ravages of war first hand, it's the closest we will ever come to knowing and understanding.
So, to my grandfather specifically and all other vets, regardless of what arena your fought in or how long you served, not matter what your role or what reason you enlisted, be proud of your service and never let the memories die with you because your stories are our links with your past and your past shapes our future in ways that you will never know.
Thank you for your service. Thank you for your energy. Thank you for your determination. And thank you for your sacrifice. But mostly, thank you for being our loved ones.
Lest we forget.
