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Saturday, April 25, 2015

ANZAC Day

 
 It's 100 years ago that the ANZACs landed on the shores of Gallipoli.  I listened to one lovely gentleman (who was 92 years old) telling of his experiences, who said that 100 years isn't really a magical number, it's just important that we never forget, and I guess he thinks about his experiences in the war a great deal.  Still had a sparkle in his eyes though.
 
Of course, in the schools there was much learning about the ANZACs at Gallipoli and I learned a lot too as I helped Little Man navigate his assignment.  We decided to make his talk about the origins of Anzac biscuits.  On first glance, it may appear a rather frivolous subject, but they had a real and very important purpose.  It took almost 2 months for the biscuits to reach the men at war, and these lovelies could last the journey without spoiling.  With their ingredients consisting of oats, coconut, butter and syrup they were also very nutritious.  Before becoming the biscuit known today, they were called Soldier's biscuits or Anzac tiles - becoming the Anzac biscuit after the landing. 
 
But the main thing that really touched us was the fact that these biscuits were made by wives, mothers, sisters, girlfriends back home - with lots of love.  I imagine that these little biscuits warmed many a heart as the soldiers reflected on who had made them, and there's nothing like a touch of home to warm the spirit.