Pre-dawn ceremonies honour Australian soldiers

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Pre-dawn ceremonies honour Australian soldiers

Dawn ceremonies across the country honour the men and women who died in armed conflict while serving Australia.

After the COVID 19 epidemic, the 2020 and 2021 commemorations were disrupted, the Anzac Day services are the first in three years to welcome the general public.

After eight months, the Anzacs were defeated, suffering mass casualties and great hardships.

Their bravery has become an enduring symbol of military sacrifice.

This year also marks the 80th anniversaries of pivotal events for Australia during World War II, including the bombing of Darwin, the fall of Singapore and the Kokoda Track campaign against Japanese forces in Papua.

Andrew Lewis, the navy's archdeacon, reflected on the original Anzacs legacy at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra this morning.

Let us give our utmost to make the world what they wished it to be: a better and happier place for all of its people through whatever means are open to us. The day's first national event took place at Sydney's Martin Place Cenotaph at 4: 30 am - the time Anzac troops landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

The RSL's New South Wales president, Ray James, said enormous crowds had turned up at the pre-dawn service.

He said the last few years have been really hard with COVID 19.

I'm really delighted to see the huge crowds that have shown up today. The whole Martin Place is packed.