FED:Tributes to be paid to Anzac veterans

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2011
FED:Tributes to be paid to Anzac veterans

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - Younger relatives of departed and frail diggers will march on
their late loved ones' behalf this Anzac Day, keeping the spirit of the national memorial
day alive.

On Monday, it will be 96 years since Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli,
kickstarting their first major military battle of World War I.

The anniversary will be marked across Australia with memorial services, marches and,
of course, games of two-up.

Anzac Day is also dedicated to commemorating the sacrifices of servicemen and women
in all wars, including personnel currently serving overseas.

Vietnam War veteran Denis Connelly said around 50,000 people were expected to attend
the dawn service and march on Monday in Perth.

The editor of The Listening Post magazine for RSL members said with many World War
II veterans "falling off the perch" or getting frail, their younger relatives were taking
their places on Anzac Day.

"We're getting those involved now. They're marching with their medals and marching
in their fathers' and grandfathers' units," he told AAP.

In Darwin, people would begin the day at 5am (CST) with a glass of rum and milk, Darwin
RSL secretary manager John Lusk said.

Next year, will mark 70 years since Japan launched an air attack on Darwin Harbour,
the city and the Darwin RAAF Base.

In Sydney's George Street, about 20,000 service and ex-service men and women, who have
served in conflicts from Borneo to Afghanistan, will take part in a march.

The day will begin at 4.30am (AEST) with a traditional dawn service at the Cenotaph
in Martin Place.

With the Easter weekend coinciding with Anzac Day, many will enjoy a five-day weekend
this year, prompting police to ask those in holiday mode to show some respect on Monday.

"We will be present to ensure the solemnity of this national day is observed appropriately,
and that ex-servicemen, their families and the community can commemorate Anzac Day without
fear of being a victim of drunkenness or violence," NSW Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch
told reporters in Sydney.

He said police would be present at events to ensure the safety of large crowds expected
to attend.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid homage to the "courage" of Australians
and New Zealanders, in a message sent on behalf of President Barack Obama.

"The United States is your partner and we will continue to stand with you in support
of freedom and democracy around the world," she said.

"As the Ode of Remembrance says, 'At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
we will remember them'."

Australia's Governor-General Quentin Bryce will lead an Anzac Day dawn service at Hellfire
Pass, the site of the infamous Thai-Burma railway.

Former Australian prisoners of war, now in their 80s, will return to where 12,400 fellow
PoWs, including about 2800 Australians, died during construction of the so-called Death
Railway link between Thailand and Burma for Japan's Imperial Army during World War II.

Up to 800 people are set to attend the dawn service on Monday at the Konyu Cutting,
known as Hellfire Pass after the fires lit by PoWs during the railway construction gave
the appearance of the gates to hell.

Later, Ms Bryce will join former PoWS and their families together with ambassadors
and diplomats in laying wreaths at the Kanchanaburi town's war cemetery, close to the
River Kwai.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will honour Australians who fell on the battlefields of
the Western Front at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux.

He will meet with Australian pilgrims and attend a ceremony at Bullecourt - the site
of two of the bloodiest battles involving Australians on the Western Front.

AAP bc/ajw/cdh

KEYWORD: ANZAC WRAP

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