Compiled by Archbishop Dr. Peter McInnes, AICA Primate, RSL Chaplain, www.aicaustralia.com

Distinguished guests, ladies, gentlemen and children.

The average age of the Australian male soldier is 19 years. He has short hair, tight muscles and normally is considered by society as half man and half boy. He is old enough to vote, drink alcohol, drive, but more than old enough to die for his country. He never really cared for work and would rather polish his own car than wash his fathers, but he would rather work on the weekend than have his parents pay his way. He is a recent high school graduate, probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activity, drives a 10 year old car, has a girl friend that either broke-up with him when he left for military service, or she promised to be waiting for his return from active military service.

He listens to Rock and Roll, Hip Hop, Rap, Jazz or Swing music and to 155mm Howitzer Cannons. He is 5-10 kg lighter now than when he was at home because he works/fights from before dawn to after dusk. He has trouble spelling, so writing letters is rare for him, but he can strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in even less time in the dark. He can recite the specifications of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if needed. He digs fighting bays, latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of uniforms, wears one and washes the other. He keeps his canteen full and his feet dry. He may sometimes forget to brush his teeth, but never forgets to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, administer first aid as required. If you are thirsty, he will share his water ration with you, if you are hungry, he will share his food ration with you. He will even share his ammunition with you during a battle when you run low-only if you are on the same side!

He has learned to use his hands like they were weapons and weapons like they were his own hands. He can save your life or take it, because that is his job! He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humour in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime so far. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies and helped to cause them. He has wept publicly and privately for friends who have fallen in combat, unashamedly!

He feels every note of the National Anthem and the Last Post vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to “square away” those around him who refuse to pay due respect by remaining sat, talk or wear hats during this solemn ceremony. Ironically, daily and serving distant from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful and ungrateful for his many others defence of their right. Just as his father, grandfather and great-grandfather-he is paying the price for the freedom too many take for granted in our society today! Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the Australian fighting man whom has kept our country free since Federation. He has asked for nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood, sweat and tears.

We meet today, not to celebrate or glorify war, but to remember those whom have served our country during conflict and crisis. We also remember those on the home-front, families and friends, those supplying the material and moral strength to our fighting forces-for theirs was not a lesser service to Australia. ANZAC Day is not a time for honouring war, for war is not something to be honoured. We do, however, at this time honour people of Australia and New Zealand whom have participated in warfare to protect our freedom, regardless of personal opinion and the risk of personal injury or death.

To those who have made the sacrifice, ultimately through death or injury or everlasting memories that haunt, on ANZAC Day we publicly state: “Be proud of your service for our country and all Australians, we are proud of you!” Parade yourselves confident in the knowledge that your services are appreciated by all whom you have helped with humanitarian aide, peace-keeping or other conflict resolution strategy. You have helped maintain a tradition, which our young nation can display with honour publicly. We acknowledge the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Australian Defence Force by remembering:

It is the soldier, not the reporter, whom has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, whom has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the university campus organizer, whom has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier whom salutes the Australian flag, serve beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, and whom allows the protester to burn our national flag to demonstrate their contempt and disrespect for the freedom our society all too often takes for granted which is daily defended by our military personnel. Lest We Forget!