Anzac Day and Mateship

Today is Anzac Day. This day has many meanings but often the Anzac spirit is portrayed as 'mateship'.

It strikes me that mateship in difficult circumstances such as war helps the human spirit to persevere and to know that they are not going through it alone. We remember the ultimate sacrifice of those who served and lost their lives in the battle and those like my late father who served in World War 2 who came home and began their lives anew after giving their best years of their lives in service of their country. Many in later years still carried the scars physically and emotionally from their service with some suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Anzac Day in our home was important with its tradition. Dad went to the Mass and most years he then marched. Each year the medals came out the night before and placed carefully on his suit jacket which he wore with just pride the next day. My grandfather on both sides were also veterans. Before dad passed away, he had his medals made for myself and my siblings as miniatures. It was indeed a gesture of great love on his part.  Now that dad has passed away, the memory of Anzac day tradition lingers in my mind and I remember what this day meant to him and our family.

However, it has always struck me that mateship is keeping the commandment to love- the veterans loved one another in an appropriate manner to put each other first, watching each others backs in combat, gave their lives in service and some paid the ultimate price of death.   In psychological terms, the whole experience bonded them so that years later, they could still come together and feel that sense of union with each other.

For those of us who have not served in this way, we can commend them and be grateful for their bravery. 

We can follow in their example of mateship, which in essence is keeping the commandment to love in its fullest meaning as Christ specified.

Lest we forget.