FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 27, 2016) -- Lt. Col. David Heatley, the Australian Army Liaison Officer, paid tribute to Australian and New Zealand troops during the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day Dawn Service April 25 at the 173rd Airborne Brigade Memorial at the National Infantry Museum.
Heatley explained that this year's ANZAC Day marks the 101st anniversary of the landing of the ANZAC troops on the shores of Gallipoli in Turkey.
"ANZAC Day remembers the defining moment of Gallipoli in 1915 and the heroic actions of the Australian and New Zealand troops as part of a greater allied nation. It came to symbolize the determination, courage and fighting spirit of our two young emerging nations, " he said.
That spirit is now commonly referred to as the ANZAC spirit. It is rekindled every April 25, Heatley added.
Heatley revealed that although Gallipoli was a failed campaign, the core values of the Australian Army were established from it.
"Loyalty, courage, teamwork, and respect," he said.
As part of the service, wreaths representing ANZAC, Turkey, the United States and the fallen were placed on the memorial.
Heatley explained the 173rd Airborne Bde. Memorial is one of a kind.
"It is the only memorial in the United States that has ANZAC names on it," he said.
"If we can't commemorate ANZAC Day back home in Australia, then this is probably the next best thing," Heatley said in regards to holding the service at the memorial.
"It was a great honor to lay a wreath to commemorate all the Soldiers who fought and died for us. I think it's great how everyone here gets together and remembers it as a community. Everyone respects each other's traditions," Molly Dehnert, the daughter of Paul Dehnert, the Australian Sgt. Maj. of the Combined Arms and Tactics under Col. Tim Davis on Fort Benning, said about the ANZAC memorial service.
Melvin Macgregor, who played the bagpipes for the ceremony, said it was a tremendous honor.
"I get to play for Australia and New Zealand to recognize the part that they played in American history," he said.
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