25th April is ANZAC Day. It is a public holiday in Australia. On ANZAC Day, we remember and celebrate the sacrifices that men and women in the armed forces from both Australia and New Zealand made in various theatres of war.
We remember the sacrifices that our military forces made in:
The Boer War (1899-1902)
The Chinese Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901)
World War I (1914-1918)World War II (1938-1945)
Wars in Russia, Malaita, Spain, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, the Gulf War, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq and ISIL (and there are more).
It is estimated that 102,930 Australians have been killed, 226,060 wounded and 34,733 have been taken as prisoners of war, in these theatres of war, since Federation in 1901.
While we remember our military men and women, who have sacrificed a period of their lives or who have lost their lives for us, this sacrificial giving of oneself clearly reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, God in the flesh, who gave His life for us.
Jesus said, that to give one’s life for a friend is a demonstration of the greatest love.
“Greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.
We are grateful for the sacrifice that Australians have made in order to protect the Australian people and to preserve our freedoms. This is why we celebrate ANZAC Day.
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