Cadet Warrant Officer Emily Dixon-Mills describes the heartache and sense of awe she feels among the Anzac memorials in northern France.
My journey to northern France has cemented the honour and respect I feel towards our Anzacs, reminding me of their courage and bravery.
Walking among the memorials the French used to commemorate the Anzacs was an eye-opening experience.
Seeing rows and rows of gravestones brought home the stark reality of the sheer number of lives lost.
It was no longer just a statistic.
Along with the heartache of remembering our fallen soldiers, was a feeling of awe for the Australians who fought to defend Northern France.
In the hope of securing peace, the Australian Imperial Force successfully defended the German last-ditch effort during the First World War.
The Australians then launched their counterattack in Northern France, defeating the German advance.
It's challenging to think that men and women my own age were prepared to sacrifice everything: their youth, their dreams and aspirations, the comfort of their own surroundings, and the chance to grow old with their loved ones.
Looking at the trenches and photographs captured in the museums brought home the reality of what things were truly like back then.
Just a slight rise in the terrain could turn deadly. The open fields across rolling hills were dangerous for our soldiers.
They fought so bravely and I admired their mateship, courage and sacrifice. Our soldiers displayed a selfless and unwavering determination teamed with a little bit of larrikin.
As I stood in silence during the Anzac Day service, I reflected on my deepened understanding of what our Anzacs endured - leaving their families to fight … and making the ultimate sacrifice.
I join all Australians in showing my appreciation to past, present and future service men and women for their contribution to the preservation and defence of our way of life.
Lest we forget.
