“Sacrifice is a gift given once but treasured once and for all.”

Anzac Day is a time to remember and commemorate those Australians who sacrificed their lives for this country. The heroes of our past, present and future are etched into our national identity.

Anzac Day is also a day that gives birth to new Australian legends. Today, Brisbane student Alex Beakley (21) has landed a coveted role at the heart of our Anzac story.

Beakley, upon learning that he had Wednesday off from his part time job at Oporto, decided to sink some cans at the Brunswick Hotel, itself an act of bravery. An early indicator of the greatness to come.

Comrade Beakley arrived home at 2345. While lying down in the shower, he knew that going to bed and getting a good sleep in was the comfortable choice. He’d had a big week at Oporto, and the daily grind of stacking Bondi burgers had done its best to dent his morale.

But Sergeant Beakley made a choice. Admiral Beakley made a call. Spaceman Beakley said it’s time. And that time was 7:15am. Beakley set the alarm, knowing full well that it would go off. Cowardice and an ignorance of the function of an alarm clock were both traits of which Beakley possessed no mere trace.

Beakley closed his eyes, for what he knew would be the final time in the next 7 hours. Legend has it he slept like a log.

0715. 25-04-18. A siren.

Beakley opened his eyes and rose. He knew it was time to put on his thongs, throw on a shirt without Oporto sown on it, and march valiantly down the road to the 7:30am Bulimba Anzac Day Service.

“I’m just like them,” Beakley thought to himself as he finished his Corn Flakes.

“Lest Me Forget.”

Beakley reportedly had to leave the service 25 minutes early because his legs were getting a bit sore. A fate we can only hope to avoid.

Beakley sacrificed his sleep in. Beakley faced the day.

Thank you, Alex Beakley. Thank you times one zillion.