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ANZAC Day 2006 - The Assyrians
By
Gaby Kiwarkis
On ANZAC
Day 25th April 2006, the Assyrian contingent marched again in the
annual Sydney veteran’s parade. Numbering fifty five retired RAF Levies and
descendants of deceased Levies they stood their position in the procession
as part of British Forces, this honoured position was bestowed upon them by
the Australian Returned Services League. All other Allied troops are
positioned at the rear.
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Six Levies were awarded the Australian World War
II commemorative
medallion from left: RAB
50 Iskhak Dinkha,
Pte "Shimasha" Shawil talya, The
Hon. David Clarke,
Pte Zaia Khoshaba,
Pte Khoshaba Daniel,
Sgt Benyamin Shlimon and Pte Hawil Siyamando
(not pictured). |
 As
the contingent marched past the statue of the un-named soldier RAB Khamshi
Iskhak Dinkha bellowed “eyes right” and saluted the cenotaph. They marched
on to the main stretch on George Street and were greeted by fifty thousand
spectators waving flags and expressing their gratitude with such phrases as
“thank you” and “thank you for our lives” Children also expressed their
appreciation by walking up to them and shaking their hands.
(Photo:
Rev Ashur Lazar conducting prayer at the Assyrian Memorial plaque)
 After
the parade the contingent arrived at Saint Hurmizd’s Cathedral for special
service in memory of fallen service personnel. Australian Army Cadets
marched a wreath into the Cathedral. The services were conducted by Kor
Apiscoopa Ashur Lazar and preside over by Archdeacon Younan Kiwarkis in
absence of His Grace Mar Meelis Zaia.
(Photo:
The Honourable David Clarke MLC [Liberal Party]
and RAB 50 Iskhak Dinkha [Battle of Habbaniya] laid a wreath to honour the
fallen)
 On
completion of Church service wreaths were laid at the memorial plaque
outside the Cathedral. Australian Army cadets, Cpl Adrian Kiwarkis and Cdt
Aaron kiwarkis standing as Guard of Honour, a wreath was laid by Rev Lazar
and another by the Hon. David Clarke and RAB 50 Dinkha.
At Edessa Hall a luncheon was served
in Honour of the veterans by the Saint Hurmizd’s Cathedral ladies committee.
The levies were then presented with the Australian world war two
commemorative medallion by the Honourable David Clarke MLC [Liberal Party]
Six Levies received this Honour and were invited to a luncheon at Parliament
House.
Many were thanked for their
contribution towards this event including Mr Paul Azzo [Liberal Party] a
very active member of the Assyrian Levies Association.
An Australian serviceman was also honoured, the late Lt
General Sir Stanley Savige, a veteran of Gallipoli whose actions during the
Assyrian exodus from Urmia saved thousands of Assyrian refugees. His story
can be read on our website at http//www.assyrianlevies.com later this year
the Assyrian Levies Association in conjunction with Australian Government
ministers and the Generals family will visit his final resting place to
place a wreath in his honour.
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Photo:
Assyrian service memorial to the fallen service personnel and victims
of genocide, from left- Australian Army Cadets Aaron Kiwarkis and Cpl
Adrian Kiwarkis. |
Mr Gaby
Kiwarkis has organsied Levies
participation in the ANZAC parade since 2002 and established the Assyrian Levies Association in 2003. His website at
http://assyrianlevies.com is the most comprehensive resource
available on the Assyrian Levies.
Article posted: 06/05/2006 |
