The War Memorial in Canberra. 11/11/2017

In conversation sometimes I talk about the war. People look at me a little perplexed as I am too young to have been in them but of course for me it is 1974 in Cyprus when lives were lost. Most of us will never experience or have the misfortune to live through one, but a lot of our families, parents or grandparents did, and it so easy in this time of relative peace and prosperity to forget what immense sacrifices they made. The War Memorial in Canberra is a moving and beautiful reminder of these sacrifices but also serves to remind us how important it is to have peace and understanding between peoples above all else. Particularly now when leaders seem so throw- away with belligerent remarks.

We visited in the late afternoon as is fitting.The memorial is built in the shape of a Byzantine cross in a grey stone with a memorial reflective pool and the eternal flame. As you come in further you enter the Shrine and the Tomb to the Unknown Australian soldier.

On either side Galleries where in brass you see the names of 66,000 men who died in the First World War and on the other side those who lost their lives in the Second World War and subsequent wars.

The line of names decorated with simple poppies in the margins is at once warming for the love of those who place them there and chilling because the wall of names stretches on and on.

Every day of the year, except Christmas day, the ceremony of the Last Post takes place here.  The ceremony begins with the National Anthem. A piper plays Flowers of the Forest and then a member of the Armed forces reads the story of one of the soldiers. Each day it is someone else. There are 102,815 names on the Roll of Honour. Where possible their photo is displayed and members of their family might be present to lay a wreath by the memorial pool. The Officer goes up the steps and recites the Ode and the bugler plays the Last Post. Finally the doors of the Shrine are closed for the day. It is a truly moving ceremony and every day of the year the War Memorial has visitors who come to pay their own personal tribute.

The gardens are full of interesting sculptures and dedications - the one which caught my eye and of course my heart was the one to the animals who fight in the war. These are the dogs who are trained to detect explosives and this is the touching tribute to them.

A boulevard known as the The Anzac Avenue has a clear path leading down to Burley Griffin Lake but also beyond to Parliament. Purposely I think, so that those in government can look out of the window and see the War Memorial and think twice before committing any other Australians to war.

Today at Anzac Avenue and the War Memorial there will be a  service and a minute's silence to honour the soldiers who lost their lives, and indeed all those who gave their life to their country.