ANZAC Day - Lest We Forget

Tomorrow is ANZAC *day in Australia, the day to remember those lost and affected by war. Even people who are not 'religious' are stirred by the memories as most have lost or had a family member disabled in war. More than 330,000 Australians served in WW1, 60,000 killed and 152,000 wounded.
In WW11, over 993,000 served overseas. This from a country with a population of  approx 7 million in 1939. There have been other conflicts as well e.g. Korea and Vietnam, and the current war and peace-keeping situations.
Every year there is a news item or two that ANZAC is now irrelevant, and they are always howled down and the perpetrator forced to retract.  The services and marches are attracting more people than ever and the march in Sydney is on National TV from 9.00am to 12.30pm, followed by the Gallipoli Dawn Service and at 1.30pm to 2.30pm, and at 2.30pm, the service in France.
(Click The Ode for webpage)
The Ode

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not 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.

The line Lest we forget is often added to the end of the ode, which is repeated in response by those listening. In Australia, Canada and New Zealand (and often in the United Kingdom), the final line of the ode, "We will remember them", is repeated in response

* Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

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Many families bake ANZAC buiscuits at this time of year as in remembrance of the traditional biscuits baked by anxious wives and mothers during World War I. They keep well and were packed in food parcels, and sent to the Australian soldiers in the trenches.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
125g (4oz) butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 300F (150C)

Mix oats, flour, sugar and coconut together.
Melt syrup and butter together.
Mix soda with boiling water and add to melted butter and syrup.
Add to dry ingredients.
Place 1 tablespoonfuls of mixture on greased tray (allow room for spreading).
Bake for 20 minutes.
Loosen while warm, cool on trays.
(makes about 35)

 

All pics from web.

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Richest Blessings - Jan