foreword

Edited 2021 speech from AWM Director, Matthew Anderson PSM

In 1993, on the 75th anniversary of the Armistice, then Prime Minister Keating delivered the Eulogy for the Unknown Australian Soldier.

In interring a soldier from the Great War, the socalled War to end all Wars – but which we now know sowed the seeds of a second, even more terrible war – Paul Keating said ‘We might think this Unknown Soldier died in vain.

But, in honouring our war dead, as we always have and as we do today, we declare that this is not true.’

Today, 30 years on we declare, still, that this is not true.

And, as we say every evening at the Last Post Ceremony, we also honour all those who have served, those still serving, and the families that love and support them.

We do not gather to glorify war.

Indeed, at our opening 82 years ago today, the then Governor General, Lord Gowrie, VC, said that when people leave this place, they must utter ‘Never again, never again.’

I have never sacrificed anything for the freedoms that I enjoy.

They were won by others, and on this day and at this hour, they continue to be guaranteed by others; by the women and men of the Australian Defence Force.

What I can do, and what I ask of each of you, is to honour the two million women and men who have worn this nation’s uniform, and 102,800 recorded on the Roll of Honour and ensure their service and sacrifice is not in vain.

The philosopher Arthur Danto wrote that ‘We erect monuments so that we shall remember, and build Memorials so that we shall never forget.’

In honouring our war dead, as we always have, we declare they did not die in vain.

Today, we remember. Lest we forget.