ANZAC DAY SPEECH

Dear fellow Australians and New Zealanders,

Today, on Anzac Day, we gather to honour and remember the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our countries. On this day, we pay tribute to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in Gallipoli during World War I, but we also remember and thank all those who have served and defended our nations in conflicts past and present.

Anzac Day is a day of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude. It is a day to recognize the courage, resilience, and selflessness of our service men and women. We honour those who left their families and homes to serve their countries, often in dangerous and difficult conditions, and who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and democracy.

We also acknowledge the families and loved ones who have supported and sacrificed alongside our service personnel. We know that the burden of service is shared, and we thank you for your unwavering support and strength.

Anzac Day is a day to remember the lessons of the past and to learn from them. We recognize the tragedies and horrors of war, and the human toll that it takes. We also remember the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for their country, and we strive to live up to their example of courage, resilience, and selflessness in our own lives.

As we stand here today, we also remember that our nations are built on the foundations of freedom, democracy, and equality. We are privileged to live in countries where we can speak our minds, worship as we choose, and live our lives as we see fit. We must never forget that these freedoms were hard-won, and we must do our part to uphold and defend them.

On this Anzac Day, let us remember the sacrifices of those who have come before us, and let us recommit ourselves to the values of freedom, democracy, and equality. May we always honour the service and sacrifice of our ANZACs and all those who have served our nations, and may their legacy continue to inspire and guide us in the years to come.

Lest we forget.