WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi saluted the veterans of Australia and New Zealand as those nations observed “ANZAC Day” on April 25, which corresponds roughly to Memorial Day in the United States.
“For nearly a century, America’s veterans have shared foxholes, airbases and naval stations with the forces of Australia and New Zealand,” Principi said. “On this day, we share their prayers for fallen comrades and our best wishes for their families.”
ANZAC Day is named for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which, during World War I, landed at Gallipoli on the Turkish peninsula on April 25, 1915
“On behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs and our 226,000 employees and the 25 million living American veterans, many of whom fought side by side with bravest troops of Australia and New Zealand, from the steep cliffs at Gallipoli and the jungles of Southeast Asia to the desert plains of the Middle East, we thank you for your service, spirit and sacrifice in the name of freedom,” Principi said.
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