CROWDS of people young and old gathered to witness the rural city's main ANZAC Day service and march on Friday morning in Wangaratta.
The solemn service paid tribute to the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, marking the 110th anniversary of of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.
Marchers included COU Kit Senini from the Wangaratta Air Force Cadets, who has many family members who have served in the armed forces.
Ms Senini said ANZAC Day has been a lot of preparation for everyone involved, both logistically and emotionally.
“I have family in the defence force, marching on ANZAC Day helps me to reflect and appreciate the sacrifices they have made," she said.
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“It’s also a chance to reflect on the majority of service members.”
Veterans Paul Muhlhan, Peter Segwick, Ron Fisher and Brian Kensington travelled in the 1938 CFA Dodge fire truck for that march.
Paul Muhlhan served in Vietnam as Chief Petty Officer from 1968 to 1972 and was 17 when he began.
Mr Muhlhan said it was positive to see so many community members at the march reflecting.
“I love to see the kids and parents with their medals,” he said.
Peter Segwick served in Papua New Guinea as a corporal from 1970 to 1971 and Ron Fisher served in the Malayan Emergency.
Brian Kensington served in WWII with the Royal New Zealand Navy on the HMNZS Achilles.
Mr Kensington joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as a seaman at the young age of 15 and moved to Wangaratta in 1946.
Mr Kensington will turn 100 later this year, his daughter Bev McPhail said 21 family members came along to the march and service.
"We do it every year, our family travels from interstate to support Dad," she said.
Guest speaker was Sergeant Kevin Bertram who enlisted in the Australian Regular Army on the 4 April, 2009.
Sergeant Bertram served in Afghanistan in 2010, after his deployments and was posted as a federation guard, which included ceremonial duties.
He then completed medial training and transferred to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps as a medial technician in 2015.
Sergeant Bertram said Gallipoli was just one battle in Australia's history but in all it’s stories of valour and resilience, there is the simple truth of Australians looking out for each other no matter how bad things got.
“It has come to stand for so much more in our collective hearts," he said.
“Every ANZAC Day we gather, from our greatest memorial to our simplest cenotaph, we honour those who have served and are still serving.
Albury man, Michael Hunichen said he and his family attend the ANZAC Day march and service to pay their respects each year.
“My Pop served in Vietnam and is marching today so it’s close to home," he said.
“I’m a strong believer in remembering what they fought for so our children can have the freedoms they have today.”
For Ian Hunichen, ANZAC Day is a time to reflect and remember his uncle Charles Read who fought and was killed in 1917 in the Battle of the Somme.
Sergeant Bertram said he is currently posted to Australian Defence Force School of Health as a course manager and instructor.
“We pay particular attention to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, for their mates, family and country," he said
“On every defence site in the nation you will find flags and signs emblazed with five words, service, courage, respect, integrity and resilience, they are our values and watch words, and they draw from the example and sacrifice of those who gave their tomorrows for our todays.
“Everyday the members of the defence force walk in the shadows of those who fought and died for their nation.
“Everyday the people of Australia live in peace as citizens of a nation that is one and free because of that sacrifice.
“We have much to be grateful for and much to live up to as we walk towards the future.
“Lest we forget.”
During the service crosses were laid to commemorate ex-servicemen who have passed since last ANZAC Day and 45 wreaths were laid at the cenotaph.
Renditions God Save The King, The Recessional and the New Zealand and Australian national anthems were sung.
Bishop Clarence Bester shared a prayer of blessing, a scripture reading and shared a final blessing.
