The occasion was more exceptional than other Anzac Days for Peter Rogasch, a warrant officer stationed at Bandiana.

“This day is even more special to me, one being a current serviceman,” he said.

“Secondly, the medals my partner is wearing today belonged to my grandfather who volunteered in Beechworth at the age of 17.

“He was a veteran of the Kokoda track campaign and my father, a veteran of two tours of Vietnam.”

Mr Rogasch said when asked to speak at the service, several words came to mind.

“I thought about courage, sacrifice, mateship and selflessness,” he told the crowd of about 500.

“We meet here today, not to glorify war or praise victors, but to remember those who have served and continue to serve our country during times of conflict and crisis and to reflect upon their selfless sacrifice.

“To all Australians, Anzac Day is a tradition, paid for in blood and celebrated in our freedom.

“It is a day in which not only do we salute the Anzacs, but in paying tribute to them, we also take the opportunity to invigorate our national spirit and pride.”

Among those touched by the speech was Ted Ludbrook.

The Royal Marines commando served six years in Britain’s army between 1940 and 1946.

He served in North Africa, France and Germany and spent his 21st birthday in a trench in Holland.

“I march not for us, but for those who we lost,” Mr Ludbrook said.

The 88-year-old said in previous years he would attend Myrtleford’s dawn service before catching the train to Melbourne to march alongside his war mates.

“These days I only have enough puff to march in Myrtleford,” he said.