Australian personnel at Wright-Patterson commemorate Anzac Day 2021

  • Published
  • By Jonathan Tharp, AF Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFLCMC)  – This week, Australian Officers commemorated ANZAC Day, 25th of April, at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate (AFSAC).

“Each year, Australians all over the world join together to commemorate this significant day,” explained Wing Commander Tim Lewis, Senior Australian Foreign Liaison Officer (FLO). “On this day we honor the sacrifices of many generations, not only in defending our country, but in upholding our nation’s longstanding commitment to peace and security.”

ANZAC Day has great significance for the Australian and New Zealand Forces dating back to World War I. This date marks the anniversary of the dawn landings by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, known as the ANZACs, on Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. It was the first major contribution of both young countries in the pursuit of world order.

“To all Australians, ANZAC day is a tradition, paid for in blood, and celebrated in our freedom. It is a day in which not only do we salute the ANZACs, but we also take the opportunity to invigorate our national pride and acknowledge all our military – past and present,” added Lewis. “It is also customary to include our Turkish colleagues in this event. Many of our nation’s sons are laid to rest side-by-side on the battlefield of Gallipoli and today is also about honoring the sacrifice of all.”

During the ceremony, the attendees from the U.S. and the FLOs from other countries observed a moment of silence after the sounding of the Last Post. This is a great example of sharing of significant national and cultural events by the many foreign officers working at AFSAC headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.