G'day well today is 25/4 and here in Australia and New Zealand is ANZAC Day.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand.

The ANZAC force landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, What had been planned as a bold strike to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stale-mate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers died. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

We celebrate it here with Military parades, remembrance services.

The day is marked by Dawn Services here in Australia, New Zealand accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of 'The Last Post' on the bugle. The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen (known as the "Ode of Remembrance") is often recited.

And is also marked by Dawn Services in Gallipoli at the "ANZAC Cove", many Australian and New Zealand tourists travel to Turkey for a special Dawn Service at Gallipoli. The service at dawn in Gallipoli has since become popular to attend on Anzac Day. Upwards of 15,000 people have attended services in Gallipoli

Anzac Day is a National public holiday and is considered one of the most spiritual and solemn days of the year in Australia. Marches by veterans from all past wars, as well as current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Reserves, with allied veterans as well as the Australian Defence Force Cadets and Australian Air League and supported by members of Scouts Australia, Guides Australia, and other uniformed service groups, are held in cities and towns nationwide.

These events are generally followed by social gatherings of veterans, hosted either in a public house (Pub) or in an RSL Club, often including a traditional Australian gambling game called two-up, which was an extremely popular pastime with ANZAC soldiers.

That pretty much sums up what's happening today here in Australia.

Here is a link to the Ode of Remembrance and you can here the sounds of 'The Last Post' it is actually a video link for "Remembrance day" but it's the closet thing I could find on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQI-7UOG89w

Ode of Remembrance is played every night at 6pm at every RSL club it is played and we stand while it is being played as a mark of respect.

"Ode of Remembrance"

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.

Lest We Forget.