We are fortunate to have had the freedom as Australians,
to live and work in China, England and Germany for the past eight years.
A freedom and way of life due to the service and sacrifice our
servicemen and sailors made for us all.
We have attended dawn services alongside fellow Australians
and New Zealanders in Shanghai.
We have laid wreaths at our village war memorial in England, held our own service
at the Neiderzwehren Commonwealth Cemetery in Germany
and in a corner of a tiny cemetery in France.
Today we commemorated our ANZACS on our home soil.
Stood amongst hundreds of other Australians and New Zealanders
in the misty grey light of dawn. All silent as the beat of the drum
filled the air, joined occasionally with the dawn chorus of native bird life.
An ANZAC Dawn Service is moving.
We listened as the stories of local men, who left our shores, put the lives of their comrades
and country before their own and died as heroes were read.
Descendants of those men blessed to return home, myself included,
stood together and honoured these men and women who served
and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We went into Fremantle and clapped and cheered as the parade of veterans passed us by
We watched with pride as a new generation of our service men and women passed by,
prepared to protect our country and way of life.
We were joined by thousands of others at the closing ceremony.
The ANZAC spirit doesn't diminish but grows stronger with each passing year.
Older generations passing the baton and pride to the next generations.
We will remember our fallen.
Heavy rain did not dampen the spirit, our soldiers and sailors stood tall and proud.
Thank you for your Service.
After eight years of ANZAC Day abroad for me,
it has been an honour to pay tribute on home soil today.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
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