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 Ode is the fourth stanza from the poem For the Fallen, written by Laurence Binyon, and first published in The Times on September 21,1914.
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At this 100th commemoration of the landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli, it will hold even more significance.
Three office holders in the Port Macquarie RSL Sub-branch - Colin Clarke treasurer, Kevin Lakey vice president and secretary, and president Greg Laird - all saw service in Vietnam and believe every Anzac Day is significant.
For Mr Laird the message is simple - we must never forget.
“During World War One, 160,000 young Australians were lost. If this occurred today, we would be equally as horrified,” he said. “It is all of those lives, and the lives lost at all wars that have followed, that we must always remember.
“The Anzac legend began 100 years ago and all Australians and New Zealanders have adhered to that same standard that was set by our servicemen during World War One.
“We are encouraging and fostering an understanding that for all of our young servicemen and women serving our country today - their contributions and the conflicts they are involved in are just as significant as those that have preceded them.”
Mr Laird said the impact of war on a nation lingers and the resilience and determination to overcome adversity brings strength.
“As a nation we must remember that war changes people. And those people need our help,” he said. “The best way to continue to support those who have served for us is to remember them and the sacrifices they have made.”
