Thousands of Australians gathered to pay homage to military personnel and women at the dawn ceremony of Anzac Day. There, national leaders also acknowledged the fight for freedom in Ukraine.
In some states, to commemorate the 107th anniversary of Anzac’s landing in Galipoli, they returned to normal crowds after two years of turmoil due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Canberra’s national dawn worship began with a quiet moment of remorse, followed by a didgeridoo played by the Warimi man, the prestigious aircraftman Tallinn Roach.
Army veteran Mike Raffin, who served in Malaysia, Borneo and Vietnam, said it was a day to reflect on Anzac’s spirit of service at the Australian War Memorial.
He talked about his personal experience on New Year’s Eve during the 1968 Vietnam War.
“Looking back, it seems unthinkable that five men would run across a 100-meter open ground while exposed to that amount of fire and not receive a single gunshot wound,” he said. Said.
“If any of us were injured, we wouldn’t leave our companions behind, so that would be the end.
“Every Anzac Day, I look back on that experience and am very grateful that we all survived. We are still in touch.”
He said Australia was fortunate to have current service personnel “very highly trained, ready to take risks and promised to serve their country when requested.” ..
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor Deputy Leader Richard Marles were serving in Darwin as Labor leader Anthony Albanese remained isolated at his home in Sydney while recovering from COVID-19.
“We are standing with Ukrainians doing the same thing at this point,” Morrison said when the Australians praised their fall for freedom and freedom. ..
“Our world is changing. War hits Europe again. Coercion once again plagues our region, and the arc of dictatorship challenges the rule-based order secured by our grandparents. “I will.”
“People without democracy are standing together again.”
In a video message, Albanese said the Australian character was confirmed in Galipoli, and since then the Australians have “established a solid position as warriors and as builders and maintainers of peace.”
“Nevertheless, darkness is not defeated by the world, as the war in Ukraine tragically reminds us,” he said.
“It reminds us that freedom cannot be taken for granted. It reminds us that freedom is not.”
This is the first Anzac Day since the troops withdrew from Afghanistan, where 41 Australians died in military service.
Canberra’s memorial includes a complete veteran march for the first time in three years.
The RSL ACT branch has 41 units registered for the march, equivalent to 850-900 marches.
Governor David Harley will give a speech to the country from the Australian War Memorial following the march.
This year we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Anzac Day at the Canberra Memorial.
Overseas, Anzac Services will be held in Turkey, France, Thailand, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
Maj. Gen. Matthew Pierce, who addressed in Sydney, said it was a day to thank all veterans for their service, sacrifice and resilience.
“They are full of stories of ordinary Australians who, despite adversity, have taken their lives to support their peers, protect their national interests and secure a brighter future.”
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Australian Associated Press is an Australian news agency.