Gallipoli

One more thought about Anzac Day.....

Since meeting Quikong more than a year ago now, he has taken it upon himself to educate me about all things Aussie. Not just the fun bits like eating pie and dancing in the rain at this year's Homebake, but also regarding Australia's history. The one that moved me greatly was the battle of Gallipoli. Quikong said that he would like to visit Gallipoli at least once before he dies. It is a pilgramage that thousands of Australians make annually, especially on Anzac Day. I wanted to share this quote about Gallipoli that really moved me:

.

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours... You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now living in our bossom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well" ~ M.K. Atatürk (1881-1938, Founder of the Turkish Republic and its first President)

If you have a chance, do watch the Australian film "Gallipoli", a 1981 film by Peter Weir (a very young Mel Gibson stars in it).