Remembering the ANZACs

When I was a child we lived for 5 years in Papua New Guinea. My parents were working for the Salvation Army helping with missions and also running a printing business for the Salvos. I enjoyed life as a child oblivious that all around us were signs left over from serious fighting in World War II.

One day we were in the New Guinea highlands visiting a village and my Dad showed me the start of the famous Kakoda Track. I didn’t even know what it was. Right at the start of the track was a fighter plane that had been shot down during fighting against the Japanese. I looked at this shell of a plane and began to realise that something very significant had happened.

For those of us who have grown up in a world of peace where we never see conflict and where wars and serious problems only every happen somewhere else, it can be easy to take for granted the lifestyle that we have. Australia is one of those few and very lucky countries to have never seen conflict on its own soil. However we have always been willing and ready to send our men and women to the help of England, the USA or other countries who have needed our help. We have been very generous in spreading peace and help when it has been needed, and somehow we have been preserved from trouble.

ANZAC day has just passed and we can use this time to remember the people who were willing to give their lives so that we could be the beneficiaries. This is particularly the case in Papua New Guinea, because if the Japanese army had not been halted, Australia would have had major conflict on its soil. Some historical documents even suggest that the Japanese invasion was planned to run ashore at Emu Park.

So let us remember what brave men and women have done for us and be thankful. Also, let us be brave people ourselves, not afraid to help others when they have needs, even if it does cost us. As someone famous said “No greater love is there than a person who lays down their life for a friend.”

Some people have said “Thank God for the Salvos,”... and I think we should also say “Thank God for the ANZACS.”