THE ANZAC Day service in Bega yesterday drew a huge crowd and far more marchers than in previous years.
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Although it was the school holidays a large number of children from Bega Primary, Bega West, Bega High and St Patrick's Schools, the Bega Valley Christian College, Lumen Christi and the Mumbulla School marched.
Mr Barry Chambers was the master of ceremonies and Mr Ron Mullaney, president of the Bega RSL Sub-Branch, gave the prologue.
Lieutenant Geoff Martin of the Salvation Army gave the prayer for thanksgiving, Mrs Dorothy Mullaney, the prayer for the Queen, and Bega Valley Shire's deputy mayor, Cr Bill Taylor, the prayer of the nation.
Christian College students, Tom Otton and Stephanie Wills, gave the commemoration addresses - orations on the theme of ANZAC.
Tom (aged 12) said ANZAC Day reminded him of the soldiers that fought to keep Australia a free and happy country.
"It also reminds me of my great, great uncle, Fred Otton," he said.
"Uncle Fred was a major in the Army who was in charge of hundreds of horses in Egypt.
"While at war trying to save his country Uncle Fred was also trying to manage his farm back home, 'Numerella'.
"My grandad has shown me the real letters Uncle Fred sent home and I could actually see where Uncle Fred would say what crops to sow and what cattle to sell or move to another paddock.
"Because it took six weeks by boat for the mail to get to Australia, Uncle Fred would write what to do six weeks ahead. That's what amazed me!
"Even though Fred won numerous medals, I could not wear them today because they were unfortunately burnt in the 1952 bushfires.
"Fred meant heaps to me but now I know that every ANZAC went through that, so ‘thank you ANZACs for giving me what I have today!'" he said.
Stephanie spoke about "the gift that these brave souls gave us and our future generations".
She said ANZAC Day was a day to be remembered for all those men and women who gave their young lives to fight for our country.
"I pray it will be remembered for eternity," she said.
"If Australian men hadn't gone to war to fight for us we could be under a dictatorship ruled by another country such as Japan or Germany.
"We would have lost our freedom, freedom of speech to voice our opinions without fear of retribution, freedom of choice as to where we will live, what work we will do, freedom to choose how many children we could have, freedom of education without bias, freedom to live our Australian way, a fair go for everyone."
Stephanie said people protest to stop war, which would be wonderful, but other nations wanted the Lucky Country that we have.
"If something is of value to you, you have to fight for it. Sometimes that means war."
She made a promise from the Bega Valley Christian College - "we will never forget".
The commemoration of the fallen was read by Mr Peter Florance, followed by the Last Post, the Ode read by Mr Mullaney, and Reveille.
The Bega District Band played for the three hymns, "The Recessional", "Lead Kindly Light" and "Abide With Me" and the National Anthem.
About 100 people also gathered for the dawn service in Bega, and the services in Tathra, Bemboka, Candelo, Wolumla, Bermagui, Wandella and Wyndham were also well attended.
More photos page 8.