NSW: Tens of thousands turn out for Anzac Day

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2000
NSW: Tens of thousands turn out for Anzac Day

Tens of thousands of people have braved the Sydney rain to pay their respects to the
Australians who died during conflicts in the last century.

More than 20,000 war veterans and members of the armed forces took part in the ANZAC
Day march through central Sydney.

A record crowd of around 10,000 attended the traditional dawn service at the Cenotaph
in Martin Place.

The service began at 4.29am - the time the first ANZAC leapt ashore at Gallipoli where
during the next eight months more than 8,000 died.

Major General PETER COSGROVE, who today received the Anzac Peace Award, was at the
dawn service and one of a number of dignitaries to comment on the many young faces in
the crowds.

He declared the ANZAC spirit alive and well and says making sure young children appreciate
what the day is about is the key to keeping that spirit remembered in perpetuity.

Witnessing the unveiling of a four-metre high statue of a WWI digger on Anzac Bridge
by Premier BOB CARR was 99-year-old WW1 veteran CHARLIE MANCE, from Maryland, west of
Newcastle.

He's described the day as an emotional one as he used to meet his friends, but now
they're all dead.

AAP RTV jx/ts/dmc/jn l

KEYWORD: ANZAC NSW (SYDNEY)

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