It was a capacity crowd at the Cenotaph as past and present serving men and women, their families and residents lined Brisbane Street to commemorate Cowra’s Anzac Day dawn service.
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Veterans, led by Lesley Marshall and Felicity Jess, marched from Bartlett Street to the Cenotaph before Cowra RSL sub-Branch President Jono Webber welcomed everyone to the service.
“As we gather here to remember those who paid the ultimate price protecting our wonderful country Australia, we also think of those who returned injured and their families who waited at home for their return,” he said.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first community Anzac Day commemorations in Cowra.
Mr Webber told the stories of soldiers and nurses who returned to Cowra a century ago, and said the purpose of Anzac Day was to give thought to those who gave their lives for Australia.
“As back then in 1918, we come together each year to honour the traditional virtues of courage, loyalty, self-sacrifice and mateship, virtues that have been respected by all peoples since the dawn of time,” he said.
“We do not glorify war as we also know how war can divide nations.
“We come her to unite in the common bond of comradeship and duty to one’s country, no matter what creed, colour or religion.
“Today especially, we must also remember those of our Defence Force who are currently serving overseas, a number of whom come from Cowra.”
Wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph before the RSL sub-Branch hosted a breakfast for veterans, service men and women and invited guests.
