Time to remember our selfless war heroes

As is the true Australian spirit, talk in the lead-up to Anzac Day hasn't just centred on what we can't do on April 25 this year, but on what we can do. And while we'll all be apart, we'll be together in spirit, remembering the sacrifice of those killed, injured or forever changed by war.

I plan to have a very personal focus this Anzac Day.

I've come to realise just how little I know about my family members who served in the Second World War. I remember basic information, such as who enlisted, and who served in the Pacific or Europe, but I know few details beyond that, and I wish I did.

I'm so proud that they put their hand up to do their part to help the war effort, and I'm slightly ashamed that I know so little.

So today, I'll be trawling through every listing I can find in the national archives or war memorial records to see what I can learn and uncover. I hope to find enlistment details, service numbers and discharge dates to fill in some of the gaps.

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What I know I won't find are the stories of what war was really like, or what Australia looked like with so many of its sons fighting on foreign shores.

I so badly wish I could have a conversation with my grandfather about his reasons for enlisting and his time in the army. I wish I could tell him I'm proud of him, and that 75 years on from the end of the Second World War, our nation is as grateful as ever for the contribution of our Diggers.

Unfortunately, I'll never get that chance. He passed away when I was a toddler and while my grandmother also enlisted, I regrettably never broached the subject in the 12 years I had with her.

So instead, I'll be asking my father to tell me everything he knows about his parents' and uncles' experiences.

Perhaps that's something we can all do this year - share stories and ensure the legacy of our war heroes lives on.

I believe anyone who signed on the dotted line and committed to serve their country is a hero, no matter their length of service or medal count.

This Anzac Day, let's make sure every one of these brave and selfless Australians are in our thoughts.

Lest we forget.