Lest we forget to remember

April 28, 2025

Douglas Newton’s poignant words speak to the truth of war: it’s the political leaders who declare it and it’s the people who die and suffer as a consequence.

I know ANZAC is special to Australians, but I stopped going to the dawn service when I found myself standing behind a bunch of teenage boys wearing Australian flags as superman capes. They were at a ceremony honouring those who fell fighting against the very nationalism they were personifying.

As a multicultural society, I’d like to see the fallen of all nations respected in the march, including those against whom we fought. I’m sure Vietnam vets would welcome those they fought beside in that pointless and futile American adventure. The universal soldier is not our natural enemy. It’s the greed of those who gain from war and the ignorance those who clamour their support.

Reading the diary entries from the Diggers who fought through the killing fields of World War I, I’m sure they would agree.