On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Australia and New Zealand on ANZAC Day this April 25th.
Today we pay tribute to all the men and women in the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand who have served with dedication, courage, and sacrifice. We remember those who have given their lives and the families and friends who mourn them -- they are the heroes who we honor every day by working to make our world safer and more secure.
This year, as we commemorate ANZAC Day, we also remember those brave soldiers who were working for peace seventy years ago. At that time, the Pacific faced an uncertain future, but American, Australian, and New Zealand troops joined together and stood up for the tenets of democracy. Because of their sacrifices and dedication, today we enjoy countless freedoms. As we commemorate ANZAC Day, we must recommit ourselves to their mission: the pursuit of freedom, prosperity, and democracy throughout the world.
