A crowd of thousands turned out this morning, April 25, to follow the Forster Tuncurry Anzac Day march through the streets of Tuncurry.
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Setting off from Parkes Street at 10:30am, the procession moved down Beach Street and onto Manning Street before reaching its final destination at Lone Pine Memorial Park for the Anzac commemoration.
People lined both sides of the street to show their respect and appreciation for the sacrifice made by the ANZACs as members of the procession - including ex-servicemen, family of those who served, school children, the Great Lakes Band, and other proud organisations and individuals - marched resolutely through the streets.
Once gathered at Lone Pine Memorial Park, a solemn but uplifting commemoration took place, with Padre Daryll Moran leading the congregation in prayer, the Great Lakes Band providing hymns and music, and Forster Tuncurry RSL sub-branch president Cecil Miller delivering the Anzac Day address.
Lane Paterson sounded the bugle for 'The Last Post' and wreaths were laid to honour those who've fallen.
Speaking about the event afterwards, Forster Tuncurry RSL sub-branch secretary Bob McCallum said he was extremely happy with the turnout.
"Today Anzac Day means a lot more to families because they're involving their kids," he said.
He estimated close to 3000 people showed up for both the dawn service and the march, and was particularly pleased with the representation from local schools, with students showing up in uniform despite being on holidays.
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Padre Daryll Moran was also rapt with the involvement of the schools and drew special attention to the casting of a wreath into the sea by the school captains of Forster Public School following this morning's dawn service.
This gesture served as a re-enactment of the original casting of a wreath into the sea by Padre Arthur Ernest White in Albany, Western Australia in 1923.
It is seen as an act of remembering.
Heartened by the large crowd that turned out to pay their respects, Mr McCallum encouraged people to take away from the day the spirit of mateship and sacrifice shown by the ANZACS.
"If they can carry that spirit on, it'll make them a better person," he said.
Lest we forget.
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