I have scheduled this post to publish at 0600 AEST, when most east coast Dawn Services start, to commemorate ANZAC Day. I’m borrowing from the Australian War Memorial website to explain what ANZAC Day is. I encourage you to click on the link to read more.

What is ANZAC Day?
ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia’s most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

One of the traditions is to hold the Dawn Service, a service of national remembrance.

Before dawn, the gathered veterans would be ordered to “stand to” and two minutes’ silence would follow. At the end of this time a lone bugler would play the Last Post and then conclude the service with Reveille, the bugler’s call to wake up.

Part of the ceremony is the recitation of The Ode, which I have used in my photo. It is from the poem, “The Fallen”, by Laurence Binyon. You can click the photograph for a larger version, where The Ode is more easily readable.

The photograph features one of the most recognisable Australian natural landmarks, Uluru (Ayres Rock). I traveled to the Australia sim in Second Life to shoot the photograph.

For non-military and adopted Australians, such as myself, it is a reminder that, although this country has rarely been directly attacked in modern warfare, the spirit of freedom lives strong in those who have chosen to protect its shores. This is my small tribute to those who have served and made it possible for me to live in this amazing country I now call home.