For more than a century, Anzac Day has been an important commemoration for Australia, a day to honour the courage and self-sacrifice of those who served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
For the first time since 1919, when Anzac Day services were suspended due to the outbreak of the Spanish flu, this year Australians will commemorate this day differently.
Australia and Greece share a proud history as allies during both WWI and WW11.
The Greek island of Lemnos was the place where the troops practised the landings, where the Anzacs disembarked for Gallipoli, where Australian nurses and medical staff established their hospitals, and where the sick and injured returned for treatment and other soldiers returned for periods of rest after the horrors of battle.
Obtaining special permission from the Greek government, the Presidential Guard along with their captains, have visited Sydney and Adelaide in the past few years to commemorate the serving soldiers of Greece and Crete, often known as the ‘forgotten Anzacs.’
The Presidential Guards’ participating in the ANZAC day commemorations, highlights the history of Anzacs who fought in the Battle of Greece and Crete.
The defence of Greece by the ANZACs and other Commonwealth forces is recognised by historians as one of the major contributions to the Second World War, significantly delaying the Nazis’ invasion of Russia.
Even though today, on the 25th April 2020, we must stay physically apart, we still join together, albeit in spirit, to pay respect to the servicemen and women.
Lest we forget.
*Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography exclusive for Greek City Times (Copyright)
