Anzac Day: A Short Story

Loyalty and patriotism are what drove some of my mates to enlist to serve Australia. But for me, I saw it as a chance to prove the indigenous and Europeans are equal and maybe one day we can be treated equally. But what I did find after the war was that discrimination remained.

*Flash Back*

The sound of marching bands could be heard as soldiers advanced down the street. Children excitedly waved flags as the soldiers marched proudly past them. A lone figure, clad in a worn but neatly pressed uniform stands back from the crowd, watching intently. He recognises the faces and ranks of those parading by, his mates among them.

It was the morning of the 25th of April, Anzac day. The day where the whole country comes to together to remember those who died fighting for their homeland. All the survivors stand proudly in front of the crowd in their

The lone figure, also deserving of recognition, is pushed to the rear of the crowd by those seeking a better view. Lowering his gaze, he shuffles away from the commotion of the crowd. Abruptly a man from nowhere pushes to the front of the crowd, there was no more space for the man but selfishly he still thought it was alright to push people out of the way. He saw one man that stood out in the crowd.

“Stand back mate, this is a parade for our fallen soldiers. Someone like you shouldn’t be here uninvited.” This is when he noticed the medals on the unknown man’s shirt. “Who did you nick those medals from, mate?” Wanting to avoid the attention of the parade, he hung his head in despair.

When he reached the back of the crowd he turned around to face the soldiers before him. And suddenly something unexpected happened. One of his best mates he made while at war gave him a salute. This sent a tear rolling down his face. Finally, he knew that someone was appreciative of his contributions and that he was just as important as anyone standing up