“There it is. Right there,” my uncle pointed to a large tree. Yet, amongst the shrubbery and foliage it seemed insignificant.
But having climbed and trekked up the mountain for hours then to finally reach the spot that determined my family’s fate and history, I was left only to pause. Finally catching my breath, thoughts turned to what happened and also what could’ve been.
It was the dawning of World War 2 and Indonesia was caught in the middle of a violent tug of war between the Dutch and the Japanese.
After 350 years of being occupied by the Dutch, the Japanese had landed and Indonesia was just one of the many countries they planned to invade as part of their war propaganda strategy, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
At the time, my great grandfather was a Colonel for the Dutch Army. News came through that the Japanese Army were fast approaching and wanted to capture and arrest anyone who held a senior position with their enemy. They were to torture and kill everyone in my great grandfather’s village until they found their targeted men.
The choice was either to be killed or to take his own life. Surrendering was not an option.
So, there I stood in front of the tree where my great grandfather sacrificed his own life in order to save thousands of others.
Growing up in Australia, I used to blindly think that ANZAC day was awfully set to glorify war. I couldn’t get my head around why people went to pubs, played coin games and just spent the day getting written off.
But 10 years ago, I was fortunate to watch the parade. Watching all the elderly soldiers, wearing their beautiful shiny medals, marching with such pride and at the same time, humility, it was so obvious that the day signifies so much more.
Freedom can be taken for granted, until we truly have to fight for it.
And for those who have never had to, we don’t understand or appreciate the fact that freedom is a right that so many in the world’s history have been deprived of.
The awful reality is that there are still so many countries still suffering; still losing innocent, precious lives.
ANZAC Day to me is to remember all fallen soldiers. It’s a day to spare a thought for anyone and everyone who’s ever been involved and been affected by the tragedies and heartache that war brings.
Lest We Forget.
What significance does ANZAC Day have for you?
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
There are too few days remaining where we truly honour the contributions and sacrifice of others. I think this is the one day people still hold in reverence and I’m pleased to see it.
Twinkle in the Eye recently posted..This too shall pass…
That is a devastating story. What a terrible cross for him and his descendants to bear. War is the pits in all its forms.
Carolyn
Desire Empire recently posted..Easy Fruit Tart Without Pastry
The significance of ANZAC Day hit home for me after attending a dawn service for the first time. I was sixteen. I was moved to tears. The emotion and passion and sorrow was overwhelming. I think here is a difference between celebration and commemoration . And it think that meaning is deeply personal – and it is what you make it.
Bec | Mumma Tells recently posted..Making Traditions. Finding Meaning.
Beautiful, Grace. My husband and son went to the dawn parade and my son can’t stop talking about the experience! This day holds so much significance x
Deb – An Inspirational Journey recently posted..A school holiday date.
My hubby and I visited Gallipoli a couple of years ago and it just absolutely overwhelmed me. I had never had a true appreciation of Anzac Day until then. Such a special day xxx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Donna Hay’s Zucchini & Sweet Potato Loaf
What a tragic/brave/special/amazing/devastating story. Thank you for sharing this deeply personal and significant family story with us. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been to a dawn service, next year I will be there. Thank you x
Lauren @ Create bake make recently posted..Superpowers – Conversations over Coffee with Always Josefa
H
Sorry about the errant H I had a toddler jump on me!
Such a beautiful post your great grandfather’s selfless sacrifice sums up what we all need to remember be grateful for, and do our best to avoid happening again.
Lila recently posted..My other Little love – an amateurs camera review Olympus E-PL5
I’m so glad we set one day a year aside to remember the soldiers who have fought in every war and also to pray for peace in the future. I think kids in particular take a lot away from going to a service.
Pinky Poinker recently posted..U- is for Unattainable Dreams
Your great-grandfather was a brave, brave man. I can see where you get your personal strength from.
We live in such an affluent country now that it’s hard to remember how tough it was in the past. We haven’t even lived in such times so how do we expect our young to appreciate not suffering hunger or poverty? I think ANZAC Day is a good day to remember.. and maybe SG should start something similar for our past heroes.
Ai Sakura recently posted..There’s Still Me in Motherhood
Wow Grace how horrible or your great grandfather to be in that position and what a great sacrifice he made.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..A case of mothers guilt
Great man your grandfather Grace! I’m really proud to be in a country that has such a meaningful day to remember and honour its fallen heroes
Winnie @ Bubfriendly recently posted..{Giveaway} Para’Kito – the ultimate protection for your children and family from nasty mosquitoes and insects
What a moving story Grace. Beautifully written. I went to Gallipoli back in 2000. It was there that I really appreciated what really happened. Very powerful and emotional. x
Neets recently posted..10 Things Never To Say To A Pregnant Woman
What a lovely post Grace. I’ve always loved the tradition of ANZAC Day. It’s so important for us to remember people like your grandfather and the sacrifice they made. Lest we forget x
Denise recently posted..7 annoying phrases on my “stop saying that” list
I am always saddened on ANZAC day as I remember the suffering of so many that have been affected by war; the soldiers and their families. It is just so tragic that people do not learn from the past and are still at war.
Sam Stone @ A Life on Venus recently posted..Personally styled!
Thankfully my Grandfather didn’t have to go to war as he was considered an essential service, he was a toolmaker so he built weapons and other things for the soldiers. My great-great grandfather however was at Gallipoli and he invented an automatic firing mechanism for a certain type of gun which allowed some of the soldiers to retreat in secret.
Every year when I was at school I performed at the ANZAC Day ceremony and it was always a real honour and a very moving experience.
Kylie Purtell, A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Who are you and what have you done with my baby girl?
Oh Grace. My heart sank reading about your great grandfather. Unfortunately, there are so many tragic stories that come from war.
I’ll be taking time to think of your great grandfather and our fallen heroes today.
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted..Weekly Wrap Up Linky – We Will Remember Them
A lovely post Grace. I think you are right, we do take our freedom for granted and I don’t think we will ever truly be able to appreciate what our diggers have done and continue to do for us, so for me, to give up a couple of hours of my day to watch the march is the least I can do to honour those men and women. Hope you’re having a good day!
Zita recently posted..for V
What a truly heartbreaking story Grace. For me Anzac Day is a time to ponder the futility of war and to remember my grandfathers – one in Darwin when the Japanese attacked the other (less fortunate) on Kokoda.
mumabulous recently posted..Slices Of Life
What an incredible man. It’s amazing how a war can impact a family for generations x
Cybele recently posted..Falling off the ceiling and how to make foaming cleanser
Your family must be very proud of your great-grandfather’s sacrifice Grace. I think even though wars are still going on, it is really hard for us to comprehend the immensity of the sacrifices in World War’s I and II. My grandfather was ‘between ages’ for the two wars and I’m not sure whether he was considered essential, but he was a publican, which was pretty essential when WWII ended and everyone wanted to celebrate!
Kathy recently posted..Mood swings (or see-saws)
Your great grandfather was truly a brave man Grace. The ultimate sacrifice he made surely makes your whole family proud.
My grandad was a prisoner of war in a Japanese camp, and came home a hollow man. I only wish I could have known him before he underwent the horrors he must have lived through. He never spoke a lot, and I can’t remember actually having any conversations with him. I do remember sitting with him quietly while he always drank his tea from a saucer. It’s only as an adult that I even thought about what he must have endured, and by then he was gone.
As a very young child, while my dad was still around, we would always attend the dawn service and Anzac Day parade. This was obviously my dad’s tribute to what his dad gave up for his country.
Thanks for making me think about family gone, Grace xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Too Much Information?
A poignant post, eloquently narrated that sums up the significance of ANZAC day perfectly. 🙂
Lee-Anne recently posted..Chicks, cafes and other important trivia…
Great post for Anzac Day. To me Anzac Day is all about celebrating our rich heritage and remembering that it came at a cost. We usually go to the dawn service at Currumbin where I live but for the past couple of years we haven’t ventured out that early with the kids. Next year we’ll be back 🙂
Kate recently posted..Become an eco-friendly family in 5 simple steps
I never understood the fuss I was a kid, but as I got older I chose to start seeing the significance of it. My granddad was in the british army during WW2, but we don’t have any really family connections, so I think it’s hard to understand it like others who have the history do. But such a great day to stop and think about those who gave it all.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..She’s a Mum
That was a lovely recount of your special memory of Anzac Day Grace. It was a big day for us here as my boys were in two parades as part of the Army cadets. As a kid we used to take turns at wearing our Pop’s medals every year in the march. 🙂
floodproofmum recently posted..A-Z Simple Living: U = Upcycle
I think we inadvertently take Anzac Day for granted because it didn’t happen in our age, but as I have gotten older I have understood it’s purpose and it’s not to glorify war, but to remember the fallen and to promote peace. At today’s service that I went to, it was explained when Australia lost tens of thousands of troops, the population was quite small in Australia so every family was affected one way or another whether it was a family member, friend or neighbor. Every street in every suburb of Australia had someone go to war and never return. When it was explained like that, it made the sacrifice all the more heavy and significant. What a remarkable story your history has with the war. Thank you for sharing Grace. 🙂
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..The Last Post
Grace, I have only just got around to reading your blog post tonight – that is an astonishing story and so very sad. What a great sacrifice.
We are so very lucky to live in our modern Australia, so far away from the greater world troubles. It is only through the spirit of ANZAC Day that these stories rise from the deep and remind those of us who are enjoying our freedoms, that things could be so very, very, different.
I am sure he would have been honoured to have had you visit the site of his sacrifice. X
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted..ShuPeas Infant Shoes – A Review and Giveaway
This is a truly beautiful post. Sometimes the true meaning behind a holiday is forgotten. It is lovely how you have brought me back to the truth.
Sarah from Creating Contentment recently posted..depression
That is a tragic story – what a decision to have to make – your great granfather must have been a very brave and courageous man. I went to a dawn service this morning, incredibly my first ever one. I went to marches as a kid and studied our history at university so I was aware of what sacrifices have been made over the years by others as brave and as honourable as your great grandfather. But I am ashamed to admit I have spent most of my adult life not actively commemorating or supporting those who have fought for our freedom. I’m glad I was able to finally show my personal appreciation for all that has gone before. Lest we forget.
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Flu Fashion
The ultimate sacrifice right there huh Grace, I didn’t know about that conflict, thanks for sharing. To me Anzac Day is very poignant, we learned a lot about the sacrifice NZ’ers made at Gallipoli, for such a small country, we lost a lot of young men. But there has been much sacrifice by so many countries for wars. I’m not a fan of wars but I’m a fan of showing respect for those who have lost their lives in them x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..To mums who have lost their sons to war – Lest We Forget.
Your post gave me goosebumps, Grace. What an incredible story of ultimate sacrifice and what an incredible experience it must have been for you to stand in front of that tree.
Lizzy – Muddle-Headed Mamma recently posted..How my Perspective on Easter Has Evolved