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On 25 April each year, New Zealand and Australia commemorate Anzac Day. Anzac Day is the day we remember the sacrifices thousands of men and women made for peace and a better future for us all.
Ninety years ago, on 25 April 1915, during the First World War, as part of a larger allied force, a combined force of Australians and New Zealanders, called the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - the ANZACs – landed on the heavily fortified Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. The attack was ultimately a defeat, and New Zealand and Australia suffered a terrible loss of life. The British, French and other allies also sustained huge loss of life and casualties as did the defending Turkish forces.
Over 10,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers were killed and many thousands more injured. There was hardly a family in Australia or New Zealand, which was not tragically affected by the events on Gallipoli or on the western front.
On Anzac Day in Vanuatu, we also pay tribute to the New Zealand and Australian forces who fought and died for freedom in the South West Pacific during World War Two - the New Zealand army, airforce and naval forces in the then New Hebrides and the Solomon Islands - the Australians in Papua New Guinea, who made the ultimate sacrifice on the Kokoda Trail, and the French and allied forces in New Caledonia.
We remember on this day the thousands of US servicemen and women who gave their lives in the call of duty in the Pacific. We also offer thanks to all ni-Vanuatu and peoples of the region who worked side-by-side with the allies during this troubled time.
Also, on this day we take time to acknowledge the work of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces here in our region - in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville - and further afield, for the contributions that they are making to global peace and security.
It is from the common bonds forged at Gallipoli and in other wars, and a shared interest in peace and security in our region, that we gather today as fellow ANZACs, and friends, to pay respect to all those who gave their lives, and to reflect on the peace they handed down to us all.
