It was great to see so many people from all walks of life attending this year's Tuncurry ANZAC Day dawn service.

It was encouraging too, to see so many young families attend the service.

At 16 years of age, in 1979, I was a passenger involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident.

Suffering two broken legs, with the right leg eventually being plated after breaking it again within a few months, I was denied entry into the services two years later.

I was deemed "unfit" to serve our country.

I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my parents and grandparents, who all served and fought for our great country.

It was 1956 when my father, who I'd not yet known, left to serve in the Malayan conflict.

Dad served and fought from 1956 through to 1958.

After more than two and a half years of serving, Dad became unwell and was quickly evacuated and flown back to Australia.

After three months of hospitalisation at Williamstown RAAF Base, Dad was released.

Sadly for Dad, he would never be allowed to return to active overseas duties, which worked out great for me!

Instead, Dad was transferred to RAAF Richmond Air Base.

Both Mum and Dad learned their trades in the air force.

Mum as an aircraft upholsterer and Dad as a fitter mechanic.

Meeting the retired air force explosives detection dog at this year's service, I wanted to send you this pic.

Jane and I were permitted to have our photo taken with him.

I love dogs, and this bought back memories of my childhood when I was affectionately dubbed the "air force baby".

My dog Ty and myself have all the Australian K-9 marathon running records, after introducing K-9 marathon running into Australia in 2011.

Our first ever half marathon attempt together was the 2011 Brooks Forster Running Festival.

Ty would go on to run 21 marathon and half marathon events over the next six seasons.

Pretty impressive for a dog rescued from death row!

As you'll see in this photo, I'm wearing one of those ugly moon boots.

This month I fractured my right ankle after landing awkwardly on the right leg.

This is the fifth time in my life I've fractured my right leg.

Gangrene had infected the injury early on after the first major break, which I'm grateful was treated by specialists.

So I can't complain too much whenever the leg breaks down.

After Dad transferred to RAFF Richmond in 1958, my parents met shortly after.

My mother had been stationed at RAAF Richmond for several years before my father was assigned there.

However, in those days, being married whilst serving together in the services was not allowed, so after my parents married in 1960, Mum left the RAAF.

My mother passed away last year aged 80 years after a fall, but Dad, now aged 88, is living in a nursing home in Penrith.

Dad has not been able to march in the dawn services the past few years now as he is too frail, however, Mum did her best to attend the ANZAC dawn services every year throughout her lifetime.

Kind Regards,

Mark Jensen.

Forster.