This morning at the Town Hall reception prior to the ANZAC Parade march past I was informed by the senior military officer of a tragic fatal military helicopter accident in New Zealand. We included this loss in our prayers at the Hobart Remembrance Service. It was a sad reminder of the fragility of life and of Defence Force Personnel who lay their lives on the line for our well-being.

I appreciated the words of NZ Army chief Major General Rhys Jones at the Wellington ANZAC Day commemoration, to which the crashed helicopter was heading,  

Anzac Day is a time to remember and reflect on the sorrow, loss and sacrifice that is the obligation of nationhood, the cost of liberty and the price of freedom.

The Governor of Tasmania spoke of our need to be thankful for those who sacrificed that we might have the life we live and to be makers of peace.

The rain held off, just, and it was a befitting remembrance of and honouring of those who fought and died, as well as those who survived and carried suffering into the years of peace.

My own thought is that on ANZAC Day we remember the past not to glorify war but to honour those who fought for our freedom, giving thanks to God for them and their families.

In remembering, we learn and live in the light of that learning. We also are challenged by the sacrifices made and are challenged ourselves to consider the sacrifices that we make for the well-being of all. Can I put aside my own dreams and comforts for the greater good of society?

Anglican ministers lead ANZAC Day services of remembrance throughout Tasmania. Here we see Revd Cyril Dann taking the Dawn Service in Hobart at the Hobart War memorial (Cenotaph).

A moving reflection on the significance of the Dawn Service from a digger who could not make it this year, Thanks for remembering them. An article on his service and time on the Burma railway, Arch’s memory of a cruel war.

Christians recall the One who sacrificed His glory and status that we might live; forgiven and reconciled: in love with God and neighbour. May Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of love continue to inspire and encourage us. In the words of the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Philippi 2:4-11,

4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,

7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.