Virtually every Anzac Day is marked with some minor or major controversy that threatens to impinge upon the dignity of the day. There have been controversies in past years over whether a rugby game between Australia and New Zealand could use the name Anzac Test, over whether the march belonged to the Returned and Services League or the people as women sought to join the march to protest against rape in war, over whether Anzac biscuits were an unwelcome commercialisation, whether youngsters can wear their parents’ medals in the march, and this year over whether a public holiday should be declared on the Monday if Anzac Day falls on a Sunday and the boycott of Serbian veterans in light of events in Kosovo. On each occasion various ex-service organisations put their view, quite rightly, in a way directed at ensuring the day remains sacred. However, each year the Anzac spirit transcends whatever ephemeral controversy is afoot. The meaning of Anzac Day is too profound and too enduring to be affected.
Indeed, it seems that in the past decade, at the very time we are seeing the last original Anzacs pass away, numbers at Anzac services are increasing, especially among the young. Interest is increasing in Australia’s wartime history, particularly the events of 1915 that did so much to shape the nation.
Some of the matters that raised objection in the past have now been embraced by the RSL or at least no longer an issue with it, the biscuits and the test among them. Moreover the make-up of the march has changed, quite rightly, to reflect changes in society. Shortly after World War I and shortly after World War II it would have been unthinkable for anyone other than servicemen who had served overseas with the Allies to march. This has changed, just as the RSL has changed from Returned Servicemen’s League to Returned and Services league. This year reservists will march as will Turkish veterans.
The day primarily is one to honour Australians and New Zealanders who made sacrifice during war, and will always remain so. But the day is also one to learn lessons from war and to hope for and work for peace. Anzac Day at once marks the particular and the general.
Eternal vigilance still has meaning. But it has a wider meaning than the purely military one of armament, fortress Australia or forward defence. It also has a wider meaning than jealously guarding Anzac Day as purely a day for returned servicemen. The day primarily is one for respect and thanks for their sacrifice, but its evolving and widening message has resulted in a greater number taking part in the commemoration even as the number of returned ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen falls.
Anzac Day must always be marked on April 25, even if it falls on the weekend. As for shops opening, it is telling of the materialism of the shop-keepers and mall mangements who want to open, particularly before midday. But rather than cajole governments to force shops to close, a better outcome would be for so many Australians to respect the Anzac commemoration and not go to shops that the shop-keepers find it is not worthwhile opening.
As for the extra holiday on the Monday when April 25 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is of little moment. It is not worth protesting against. Those that use it as a lazy long weekend and ignore marking Anzac will do that anyway.
Many people feel they should have a set number of holidays from work a year and at the same time are strong respecters of Anzac. There is no harm in a Monday holiday to prevent a feeling of being cheated by Anzac Day falling at the weekend. Indeed a worthwhile juxtaposition is created by it. We can only enjoy the extra holiday because of the Anzac sacrifice.