Anzac sacrifice commemorated at dawn services

April 24th, 2013

Peter Nolan

Updated

April 25, 2013 09:40:28

ANZAC’s sacrificed their lives for the criminal Jewish Governments in the name of greed and control

Video: Watch Anzac Day commemorations on ABC News 24
(ABC News)

A member of the Catafalque Party stands in the Cenotaph in Brisbane

Photo:
More than 10,000 people attended the Brisbane service to remember Australia’s fallen soldiers. (ABC News: Giulio Saggin)

Australians have attended dawn services around the country to commemorate Anzac Day and pay tribute to soldiers who fought and died in war.

The services mark the 98th anniversary of the first landings by Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli in 1915.

At this moment I am proud … Proud of my mates’ service and the sacrifices we all make in order to serve.

Thousands gathered at war memorials in towns and cities across Australia for the commemorations, which began before first light.

A record crowd of more than 30,000 people gathered in freezing conditions on the steps of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, while 45,000 turned up for services in Melbourne and thousands in Sydney.

Victoria Cross winner Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith addressed Canberra’s dawn service at the War Memorial.

He read out letters from serving soldiers, including one who is deployed to Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.

“At this moment I am proud. Proud of my wife and her efforts back home. Proud of my country. Proud of my mates’ service, and the sacrifices we all make in order to serve,” he read.

“As the unmistakable thud of the chook [Chinook] taking off resonates out across the air field I close my eyes and say a prayer for the team heading out, and wish them well as they head in to the darkness.”

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has joined about 15,000 people in commemorations at Townsville.

It is the first time in more than 50 years a prime minister has attended a dawn service in the north Queensland city.

She laid a wreath as the crowd reflected on the seven soldiers who lost their lives since last Anzac Day.

It was a sombre reflection for the garrison city, which is home to one of Australia’s biggest Defence communities.

Wing Commander George Hodgson told the crowd the Defence personnel are worthy of our thanks and gratitude.

“We not only honour those who have died to protect our way of life, but we also honour those were wounded physically and emotionally and those who have stayed at home to support personnel in operations,” he said.

“We honour those friends and family who continue to support personnel after they return.”

Later today, Ms Gillard will attend the city’s Anzac Day parade.

In Sydney, hundreds ex- and serving soldiers and their families will march this morning from Martin Place down George Street and onto Hyde Park.

Thousands of people have lined the route to cheer them on, while Australia Post has been delivering Australian flags for onlookers to wave.

The march is expected to continue until 1:30pm (AEST).

Ashley Ekins from the Australian War Memorial says the day is growing in significance, particularly with the centenary of Gallipoli fast approaching.

“These days, I suspect that with many people recovering their own family history – you can now get a full service record of a First World War soldier online, downloaded online – they now have more meaning, they might start to recover a much more significant meaning for people today,” he said.

“People are more immersed in this than I think we have ever been. I’ve seen this grow over the past two decades and now it’s really coming to a national interest right around the country.”