stop, pause and honour this anzac day
Today, as the Last Post cuts the silence of dawn, we pause to honour and remember the more than two million personnel who have served in Australia's Defence Forces.
In towns across our nation, and in many across the globe, Australians are gathering to recognise all those who have, and continue to wear our nation's uniform.
That service, in war and conflict, as well as in humanitarian and peace operations, has brought our nation both pride and sorrow and earned its place in our national identity.
On Anzac Day, we honour the memory of the more than 103,000 Australians who have given their life in our country's name.
In the 109 years since the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, the Anzac legacy is as strong as ever.
In Australia, the national Anzac Day Dawn Service is being held in the Sculpture Garden of the Australian War Memorial, while the RSL Veterans' March is, for the first time, being held on the Memorial's newly commissioned parade ground.
International Dawn Services are being held in Gallipoli in Türkiye, near Villers-Bretonneux in France, Sandakan in Malaysia, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and Hellfire Pass in Thailand, marking some of the most significant battles in our nation's short history.
Whether at home or abroad, we encourage every Australian to pause and reflect on the contribution made by all service personnel who have displayed great courage, discipline and self-sacrifice in choosing a life of service to their country.
Lest we forget.
