Lest We Forget

This ANZAC Day, we remember all those who have fought for our freedom. There are many countries in the world where I couldn't be sitting at my computer and blogging. It just wouldn't be allowed. Sometimes we forget and we take it all for granted. Today, we remember. We remember those who have fought, those who have returned with physical and mental scars and those who have given their lives.

Apart from all our old diggers, this ANZAC Day I particularly remember the thirty two Australian soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan in the past decade:


Take a moment to read each of their names and ages...

Andrew Russell, 33  
David Pearce, 41  
Matthew Locke, 33  
Luke Worsley, 26
Jason Marks, 27
Sean McCarthy, 25  
Michael Fussell, 25  
Gregory Michael Sher, 30  
Mathew Hopkins, 21
Brett Till, 31  
Benjamin Ranaudo, 22
Darren Smith, 25  
Jacob Moerland, 21  
Ben Chuck, 27
Timothy Aplin, 38
Scott Palmer, 27  
Nathan Bewes, 23  
Jason Thomas Brown, 29
Grant Kirby, 35  
Thomas Dale, 21  
Jared MacKinney, 28  
Richard Edward Atkinson, 22
Jamie Larcombe, 21  
Brett Wood, 32  
Andrew Jones, 25  
Marcus Case, 27
Matt Lambert, 26
Rowan Robinson, 23  
Todd Langley, 35   
Bryce Duffy, 26
Ashley Birt, 22  
Luke Gavin, 27

There was also a young Sydney-born rifleman in the British Army - Stuart Nash, 21, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008. He is not counted in the list of Australian casualties above.

Everytime I heard a report about another casualty, my immediate thoughts were for the families left behind. Terribly heartbreaking. So today, I also remember all those still serving overseas and pray for their safe return.

The above video and list of casualties was sourced here.

What does ANZAC Day mean to you?