AS the sun began to rise, residents gathered in Central Park to commemorate the sacrifice of Australian soldiers.
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The Last Post echoed through the park as locals took a moment to reflect on the historical losses that have afforded them freedoms.
Veterans marched through the streets, stopping to salute the Cenotaph in Central Park before heading for breakfast and a beer at the Armidale Ex Services Club.
We shall not grow 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.
- Ode of Remembrance
In Uralla, residents lined the streets as people young and old marched toward the Memorial Gates at Alma Park.
Uralla Shire Council mayor Michael Pearce gave an address and told stories he heard from his grandfather as a child.
“It’s a credit to our community to see the numbers here this morning,” Mr Pearce said.
“Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national occasions, it marks the anniversary of the first major military action by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI.
“My grandfather, Jack Evers served in WWII in New Guinea, he told me and my brothers stories when we were very young about walking through rivers and creeks holding his mate, his 303 rifle, above his head fighting crocodiles.
“As we got older the crocodiles turned into logs – because the story was more credible.
“People like my grandfather fought for this country and fought for us, so today we remember all of our grandfathers and all those who fought and died in war.”
Check out our live coverage of all the Anzac Day events, or read the stories of local heroes, including WWII veteran Thelma McCarthy and Corporal Adam Dowling.
Meanwhile, a former TAS student who founded the charity Soldier On has spoken about the loss of a schoolmate who was killed in Afghanistan, which prompted him to create the charity.
In between a game of two-up, catch up on a brief history of ANZAC ceremonies and the inception of the dawn service that commemorates the characteristics of courage and mateship shared by all Australian soldiers.