Gallipoli 2010

Hello everyone,

ANZAC Day 2010 is a day that I will always treasure, being thankful for the gift God has given me in allowing me to attend the ANZAC services in Gallipoli - where it all happened. The 25th April will never be the same for me. To actually be in Gallipoli was amazing. I've reflected a lot over the last week, thinking about how to put the moments into words, but no words can completely do justice to the experience.

To get there we travelled from Cannakale, going across the Dardanelles by ferry, just like our brave soldiers. What an incredible feeling! To actually be travelling across the waters that played such a key part in many battles of WW1 gave me goosebumps. As we walked into the Gallipoli, past ANZAC Cove, towards North Beach where the ANZAC Commemorative Site is, so many thoughts passed through my mind - the many historical facts I have read, the stories of soldiers that I have shared with my students, the artefacts I've seen in the Australian War Memorial. These all had contributed to forming a picture in my mind of what Gallipoli is like but no amount of reading or study can truly prepare you for what see when you are there.

The cliffs are huge! For the soldiers to scale these cliffs with heavy equipment packs was a massive task alone, but to do it amidst gunfire was virtually impossible. For anyone to have survived that first battle is a miracle! The Turks had such a vantage point - the cliffs gave them a perfect view of all that was happening below.

Throughout the afternoon we explored the area a bit - but we weren't allowed on the beach, although we were given permission the next day - this meant we could walk along the beach where the ANZACs landed, which was a breathtaking experience. We walked on the ground where it all happened. Walking along, thinking about the battles and all that our soldiers faced, makes it so real.

During the evening and throughout the night a Reflective Program ran on the screen. This commemorated the landings on the Peninsula and told the story of the Gallipoli campaign. It highlighted the bonds that have been established between nations that fought against eachother during the First World War. A very powerful message.

As dawn appeared, it brought with it the Dawn Service. The service began with a light show that focused on the Sphinx, a towering cliff that many ANZACs saw as they faced gunfire from all sides. The music that played conveyed the tragedy of war and the intensity of the Gallipoli Campaign.

The Dawn Service was a time of intense emotion and remembrance. From we there visited many of the cemeteries before walking up the hill to Lone Pine. The walk itself highlighted the difficulties the ANZACs faced - such steep and impenetrable terrain. We attended the Lone Pine service which brought home even more the losses Australia faced during WW1.

Our Gallipoli experience concluded with a walk to Chunuk Bair, where the NZ service was held.

I could say so much more, which I'll do when I'm home. (There are heaps of photos on facebook if you would like to see more.... )

Gallipoli was such an incredible part of my holiday. Moments I will always treasure and never forget.

To the men who gave their lives for our freedom we can be truly thankful. Lest We Forget!

I will finish with the words of the Ode of Remembrance, that form such a key part of all ANZAC ceremonies.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

One of the trenches

Shaney and I on the ferry that took us from Cannakale to Eceabat

Entering the Dardanelles - there were a few battleships to add to the atmosphere

Seeing this sign brought on so many different feelings for me. It was a surreal experience, driving into the Gallipoli National Park

Part of the memorial park at the Kabatepe Museum

The Gallipoli coastline as we walked in from the bus drop off. This is the first part of the Gallipoli Penisula that I saw

A bunch of us - front - Bec, middle - Rob, me, back - Joel and Leanne. Joel and Leanna are from NZ and were interviewed for the NZ news. Cool hey!

ANZAC - 5 letters that say so much

The Gallipoli cliffs

Enjoying the feeling of actually being there

The sun as it was beginning to set over the waters of North Beach - where the ANZAC Dawn Service is held

Bunking down for the night - wasn't as cold as we all expected so that was good! Was incredible being amongst so many other Australians, on the very hills that the ANZACS fought on

Part of the Reflective program - a presentation from New Zealand - was amazing!

As the Dawn Service started, profiles of some of the soldiers who fought appeared on the screen. This made the whole experience so much more intense as the men who fought became more than 'soldiers' but real men, with real stories who lost their lives for our freedom. This soldier was born in Launceston... what else do I need to say?

The Dawn Service light show - you can see the Sphinx in the background, which is one of the first sections of the Gallipoli terrain that the ANZACs glimpsed

A small part of the crowd of people that attended the Dawn Service

A lonely boat; quite a different scene to the one 95 years ago

The peacefulness we see today - everything is calm and you can hear birds singing. Such a contrast to the sights and sounds facing our soldiers

Looking up the beach that some of the ANZACs landed on. You can just spot the cliffs in the background

Looking out over the waters that the ANZACs came in on; gives you the chills

Looking up to the flags of Turkey, New Zealand and Australia. It's such a miracle that all of these nations can gather together in peace, despite the tragedies our nations faced at the hands of the other. Ataturk's speech in 1934 says it all - look it up if you don't know it :)

The wreaths after the Dawn Service

This grave says it all -through war there have been terrible losses, but when you have the knowledge that our Faithful Father guides you, then you can have peace, even in tragedy. This soldier, like many others, had that peace.

Looking down to the Shell Green Cemetery, on the way to Lone Pine

The Lone Pine Cenotaph

The Lone Pine