HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Moree Services Club Memorial Window at dawn today to remember the thousands who fought and died defending Australia in global conflicts.
The Anzac Day dawn service was attended by veterans, serving military personnel, families of returned men and women, and members of the public.
Master of ceremonies, Michael Andersen, told the gathering how at this hour, upon this day, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps received its baptism of fire to become an immortal name in history.
People stood silent, heads bowed, and remembered them.
“We are gathered here to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and did not return,” Mr Andersen said.
“Today is also for those that did return but could not assimilate, those that bore the scars for life – visible and invisible.
“As the dawn pierces the night, let the legacy of their sacrifice inspire all of us to act bravely, stand together and show true compassion to those in need,” he said.
Abide With Me was played by Moree and District Band, with vocals by Steve McPherson, and benediction was led by RSL Padre, Reuben Birchley.
“We do not gather to glorify war, but to remember . . . to remember those who have served our country during times of crisis and to reflect upon their selfless sacrifice,” Padre Birchley said.
“Conscious there are many men and women around the world still working for peace, we hold fast to the powerful hope that peace can, God willing, exist today.”
A wreath-laying ceremony was conducted, with For the Fallen read by Moree Secondary College school leader, Stella Hurle.
Afterwards, Moree and District Services Club provided breakfast and at 9am, a service emceed by Rob Shields was held at Max Wales Memorial Park.
The special service honoured 22-year-old Private Wales and 17 of his comrades killed in action at the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam on August 18, 1966.
“We are here today to commemorate that day when 108 young men of Australia and New Zealand repelled 2650 enemy troops,” Mr Shields said.
“By their deeds and sacrifice, they demonstrated to the world that at Long Tan, Australia and New Zealand were well served by these wonderful young men.
“The sons of Anzacs came forward without question, accepted gladly, and discharged fully their responsibilities during the Vietnam conflict,” he said.
Anzac Day is today being memorialised across the country.
RSL Australia national president, Peter Tinley, said the Anzac Spirit doesn’t just live in history.
“It lives in the choices we make today, the way we treat each other, and the unity we show when we come together,” Mr Tinley said.
“Each Anzac Day, we honour not only what was, but what still is: the spirit that has shaped us, the spirit that lives with us, and in us.”
Mr Tinley said the Anzac Spirit Lives Here campaign recognises that the nation’s story of service stretches far and wide, and for well over a century. From Gallipoli to the Gulf, from Tobruk to Tarin Kowt, and includes the thousands of Australians who have served in peacekeeping missions.
Every generation of veterans is part of an unbroken bond.
“The RSL exists to serve all veterans and their families: those who fought in the Second World War, those who served in Vietnam, those who have served in peacekeeping missions around the world, those who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq, and those in uniform today,” Mr Tinley said.
“The golden thread connecting them all is service to our nation.
“Our responsibility is not only to honour the fallen, but to fiercely advocate for and support the living,” he said.
In Moree, the Anzac parade will marshal in Balo Street, opposite Woolworths at 9.30am, with a salute taking place in front of the Moree RSL Sub-Branch Military Museum.
The parade will then march to Moree War Memorial Hall for the wreath-laying ceremony, with the service scheduled to start at 10am.
The newly refurbished Moree War Memorial Hall will be reopened during Anzac Day proceedings.
With Anzac Day falling on a Saturday this year, a public holiday will be observed on April 25, with an additional public holiday gazetted for New South Wales residents on Monday, April 27.
