Bart Bear's Blog

Here I am at one of the most special places in the whole of Australia. It is the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Nobody can visit this place and not leave with a deep feeling of just how stupid and terrible war is. The central part of the building, under the big copper dome, is called the Shrine of Remembrance and it contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is a place where even small bears feel humbled by the sacrifice of the millions of soldiers, sailors and airmen who died to make Australia the free country it is today. The walls of the galleries leading to the Shrine are covered with the names of our fallen servicemen, including lots of Mum and Dad's relatives. It is really a place that makes you think. The rest of the building is a big museum where you can see all sorts of military stuff and special exhibitions. I love visiting because there are real planes and tanks and things. Outside there are even a Centurion tank and a gun turret from HMAS Brisbane that small bears can climb on (can you see me in the pictures without cheating by looking at the enlargements first?). I really hate wars but I am fascinated by the vehicles and science that it produces, and I guess I am not the only one to feel that way.
Today, April 25, is Anzac Day. This is a day when Australia remembers our servicemen and servicewomen. There are special marches and services in every city and town in the country. There is no doubt that for all of us, even small bears, "At the going down of the Sun, and in the morning, We Will Remember Them".

Labels: Canberra