A ROYAL Australian Navy seaman from Lakelands spoke to the Mail from his post in the Middle Eastabout what Anzac Day means to him.
“The reason I joined the navy was because of my pop,” he said.
“He joined the army when he was 17 and I joined to make him proud.
“He fought like many others and Anzac Day for me means a time to remember those that laid down their lives with the utmost courage.
“It’s also to acknowledge the current serving members that put their lives on the line to continue the fight for Australian freedom and protection.”
Daniel Mendonca, who joined the navy five years ago, said the decision “had worked out for the best”.
“The navy has given me a career and a trade.
“It’s a long time to be away from home, right now.
“I’m away for six months, but it gives me a sense of pride to be doing something good.”
“Our role is to stop pirates trafficking drugs and weapons, to catch any pirates that pose a threat to other countries.”
Mr Mendonca, who has been in the navy for five years, said his day-to-day job included maintaining the 118-metre, Anzac-class frigate ship.
He said crew members would be commemorating Anzac Day today with a dawn service and a “barbecue gunfire breakfast”.
