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Almighty God, on this solemn day, and at this special time and place,
we remember before you all who have served our nation as members of our
armed forces, especially those whose lives were cut short in the Boer War,
World Wars I and II and conflicts in Malaya, Korean, Vietnam, Bougainville,
the Solomon Islands, East Timor, Iraq,
and Afghanistan.
We thank you that through the efforts of the ANZACs over so many years you
have brought us peace here in Australia.
We also thank you for working through them to support each other in good
humour and with deep loyalty.

We pray for the many families who grieve the loss of a loved one who gave
his or her life in the service of their country. Be their strength and refuge.

We pray also for those who still suffer after being wounded in battle, or who
have suffered severe mental stress due to their experiences at war. Strengthen
and comfort them and those who love and care for them.

We pray that the evil that leads to war and conflict shall be banished forever,
and there shall be no more crying or pain.
Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.

Amen.

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,

There is music in the midst of desolation

And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;

They sit no more at familiar tables of home;

They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;

They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,

Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,

To the innermost heart of their own land they are known

As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,

Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;

As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain.

Today on the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, we gather to remember the sacrifice of all servicemen and women. They believed in something greater than themselves. It was their unselfish sacrifice that gives them a special place in our hearts.
We are thankful for those first ANZACS whose actions established the traditions we as a nation, hold so dear.
When the time again came, following generations of Australians served in World War II and in times of turmoil in Korea, Borneo, Vietnam, and various UN campaigns and more recently East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
On this day we remember the sacrifices of our men and women for an ideal, for a way of life. Freedom and Peace and the opportunity for every man and woman to live their lives as they wish without the threat of military and civil strife.
Let us remind ourselves of the example set by those named on all memorials throughout our nation and overseas and pledge ourselves never to forget their sacrifice. Let us determine that the liberties so costly won by their deeds are not lost by our own indifference.
So let us mourn with pride but let us also remember with equal pride those who continue to serve today, and those who have returned home damaged in body and mind.

They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them. Lest we forget.

From For the Fallen by Laurence Binyoun, fourth verse.