THEY stood in the darkness.
Thousands of them, side by side in a show of union and solidarity.
This time, however, there was not the sound of gunfire or bullets whistling past them, nor did they need to witness a cobber falling lifeless beside them.
This was freedom: a world that allowed individuals to gather and remember the terrible losses of the past.
As those who gathered at yesterday’s dawn Anzac Day service at Henderson Park Cenotaph fell silent for a minute of reflection, surely they could hear the gunfire, the screams of agony and seeming hopelessness that only battlefields afford.
For a mere 60 seconds, with heads bowed and many arm in arm, they pondered over the massive losses of past wars and the freedom that we now enjoy.
Even as years continue to grow, so do the masses of people turning out to remember.
Yesterday, thousands of men, women and children braved the early-morning chill to attend Mildura’s Anzac Day dawn service, silhouetted only by a full moon overhead and the spotlights shining on the hundreds of names at the Mildura Cenotaph of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in times of war.
Many of those who attended the brief yet moving service were to return just hours later for the daylight formalities, when young and old proudly wearing service medals made their way along Deakin Avenue to the applause of hundreds lining the street to remind them that their dedication to country was not in vain.
Guest speaker Rear Admiral Brett Wolski said the big turnout at the Anzac Day service was strong recognition of service in Mildura.
“The Mildura district was developed through significant soldier settlement schemes after both world wars,” Rear Admiral Wolski said.
“Many here today are in Mildura because their parents, their grandparents or great-grandparents took part in those soldier settlement schemes.
“All around Australia today, millions of people will gather in services such as this one to honour great men and women and a great tradition.
“We gather, as always, not to glorify war, but to remind ourselves that we value who we are and the freedoms we possess and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who contributed so much to shaping the identity of our nation and to thank those that have served and continue to serve.”
Lest we forget.
