Anzac Day commemorates shared sacrifice

For those of us who have not served, Anzac Day is a reminder of the many who have.

From the troops – including 50 Aboriginal trackers – who were summoned by the British Empire to the Boer War, to those who fought in two world wars, to those who serve now in the Middle East.

To many of us, their names are unknown.

But to others, they are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers.

And their sacrifice is profound.

Not only do protect us at home, they defend or values abroad.

As cynical as we might become about politics in this country, we are still lucky to have a system based on democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

There are places Australian forces are serving today where such ideas are just a dream.

Who could not be touched by stories of Australian soldiers protecting little girls going to school for the first time in Afghanistan?

Imagine a society in which there are people who believe it is just for a six-year-old girl to be killed because she learns to read and write.

Australian soldiers are fighting to protect young women such as Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban for arguing women had a right to be educated, and who was award the Nobel Peace Prize.

In Syria, Iraq and the Levant, where Australian special forces soldiers are fighting the Islamic State, Christians are beheaded for their faith and gay men are thrown from tall buildings for their sexuality.

We should be proud that our country, and our service men and women, stand against such atrocities.

We should count ourselves lucky such armed sacrifice is no longer necessary in our society.

Anzac Day is a time to remember those who have served in times of conflict and peace, and to mark the values for which our service men and women have fought and died.

It is also a time to commemorate those who have shared in their sacrifice.

And on behalf of the entire community, we say thank you.