Anzac Day 2022: Tamworth veterans reflect on what Anzac Day means to them as residents stop to pay their respects

For Glenn Jones ESM (Emergency Services Medal), who served for almost 35 years in various engineering, captain and major roles, said the day is all about reflection.

"I think about the friends that I lost during training," Mr Jones said.

After joining the Army straight out of school in 1973, Mr Jones said while there was a period of peace between 1973 until 1999, he lost many mates in dangerous and risky training activities.

"It's a time to remember the services that not only my family has served, but many families have sacrificed so much to make sure we have the freedoms that we have," Mr Jones said.

READ ALSO:

"People have given their lives to ensure that young people today can live a life of freedom and inclusivity."

While there's time to enjoy a beer or a game of two-up on the public holiday, Tamworth RSL sub-Branch vice president David Howell said he hoped residents realised there was much more to the day.

"Anzac Day is a day that we commemorate all that have served and especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and not returned," Mr Howell said.

"It's a day to catch up with mates and have reunions with those you haven't seen in a while."

Mr Howell served between 1980 and 1986 as a medic in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and the Third Battalion Royal Australian regiment.

With COVID-19 restrictions disrupting and scaling back Anzac Day events over the last two years, Mr Jones said he hoped this year he would see veterans, especially the older generations, back out marching.

"I hope we get to see their faces again and we get to have a coffee and a catch up," Mr Jones said.

"Particularly those that are suffering from their service, whether that be a mental or physical injury.

"I hope we get the chance to spend some time with them and make sure they're still going okay."

What's also important to remember is Anzac Day is for everyone, Mr Jones said.

"Sometimes people who have served and haven't had the opportunity to do an overseas deployment feel as if it's not really for them," he said.

"But we want them to come and participate because they are part of the collegiate of being a veteran, we want them to feel welcome."

Mr Howell said he hoped to see new service men and women taking part, to reflect the diversity, multiculturalism and inclusivity of today's defence force.

"In today's defence force we have a lot of people who have come from overseas, from all different backgrounds and circumstances," he said.

"Some of these people have gone through real hardships to get here and are thankful to be here, to see them joining our defence force makes you proud."

While Anzac Day celebrations will look more 'normal' this year, marches will still be restricted for just veterans and only a handful of representatives from schools will participate.

But despite the commemorations being scaled back, Mr Howell said it was important to keep the message of Anzac Day alive.

"It's really important that the education is there to help people understand the meaning of Anzac Day and the symbols of remembrance," he said.

"I would hope that people remember it everyday."

If you can't make it to a dawn service or a march, Mr Jones urged everyone to just take the time on Anzac Day to reflect on the sacrifices soldiers have, and continue to make.

"Most veterans, we don't expect accolades, we don't expect awards," Mr Jones said.

"Veterans have a huge amount of humility, they choose to serve because they want to.

"They do it for a belief in what Australia stands for, what it means to be 'fair dinkum', and what it means to be Australian."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: