NSW: Tens of thousands turn out to honour veterans
25 Apr 2009 11:15 AM
SYDNEY, April 25 AAP - Tens of thousands of people have filled central Sydney to pay their respects to servicemen and women during the annual Anzac Day march.
They cheered, clapped and waved Australian flags as the parade moved from the Cenotaph at Martin Place and along George Street to the war memorial in Hyde Park, where a commemoration service will be held at 12.30pm (AEST).
Navy sailors in their blue dress uniform were a striking presence, while ranks of old soldiers, medals gleaming on their chests, marched along with their mates.
A handful of Kokoda veterans marched after sailors from the HMAS Newcastle, HMAS Parramatta and submarine regiments.
Representatives of World War I diggers took up a comparatively small amount of room as they marched down George Street, led by two memorial horses, coats glossy in the morning sun.
Spectator Kate Somer travelled up from the NSW south coast for the dawn service, settling in a deckchair near the Town Hall for the parade.
With a large cup of coffee in one hand and a madly waving Aussie flag in the other, she cheered with the rest of the spectators lining the route, 10 deep in places.
"Oh, they all look marvellous," she said.
"We owe them such a debt.
"It's so great to see everyone here cheering and applauding."
The march started at 9am (AEST), led by NSW Governor Marie Bashir and march commander Air Vice Marshall Mark Skidmore.
The chiming of bells heralded the start as pipes and drums struck up traditional marching songs.
