Arabic version: طلاب كوينزلاند يرسلون بطاقات بريدية للمحاربين بمناسبة يوم أنزاك
Thousands of students across Queensland are writing to veterans ahead of Anzac Day. As part of the Returned and Services League’s (RSL) Postcards of Honour program, children are crafting postcards to express their gratitude to those who have served.
Among them is Van Reuben, a year 5 student from Darra State School, who is using red crayons to draw poppies on his postcard while sharing stories about his dad’s service in Afghanistan. “It makes me feel glad that he fought for all the people and for our country,” Van said. The program allows students to commemorate not only their own family members but all veterans who have served.
Darra State School is among 190 schools involved in this initiative, which has been running for four years. A local veteran visits each participating school to discuss the significance of Anzac Day and the history of the Anzacs, fostering a connection between generations. According to ABC News, Darra RSL president Grant Hartigan, who toured Iraq after joining the army in 2014, highlights the emotional impact of receiving these postcards, noting that they serve as a “tangible token of gratitude” for veterans.
The exchanging of postcards is also symbolic, mimicking the events of World War I when frontline soldiers would send postcards home to their loved ones. Tracy Freeman, Principal of Darra State High School, believes that listening to veterans allows students to empathize with their experiences. “The students are able to learn, they’re able to connect and they’re able to show gratitude to the servicemen before us and it’s just across generations,” she said.
