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ANZAC DAY IN CANBERRA APRIL 25th

Anzac Day

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. A day of remembrance in both countries. Remembering those 'who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations'.

Dawn Service

I attended the 6am dawn Anzac Day service at the Canberra Australian War Memorial. The 107th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. Knowing thousands would attend I awoke 4am. Drove from Rydges accommodation via Canberra city to the War Memorial underground public parking. Thought I would be one of the first arrivals around 4.30am. Surprised by how many hundreds of people were streaming to the dawn service area on the left side facing the Memorial main buildings. I managed to get a position near the front where it was roped off to the public. Television crews in attendance. The pre-service preceding's began shortly. Informative talks given by distinguished people. Some were ex-servicemen about experiences of battle not leaving anyone behind. The service itself fairly short. Generals and Admirals in attendance. Backed by the Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. A Didgeridoo player from the RAAF and a Piper of the Australian Federal Police.

An address to those gathered was made from the national President of the RSL.

(Returned and Services League of Australia)

After attending the ANZAC day service in Canberra, a deeply moving and significant event that honors the sacrifices of those who served their country, involved a poignant encounter. As I made my way to my vehicle, a serviceman approached me with a sense of genuine concern and respect. He kindly inquired if I was a returned serviceman myself, noting that long walks seemed challenging for me. In response, I humbly expressed I had never served in the armed forces but felt compelled to pay my respects to those who had bravely served.

Later that day, I decided to revisit the Australian War Memorial to immerse myself further in the history and stories of wartime sacrifices. The impact of the visit was profound, especially considering the restricted visitor numbers due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the limitations, the experience of exploring the displays and paying tribute to the fallen heroes left a lasting impression on many attendee. It was a reminder of the importance of honoring the past and reflecting on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Traveldriven