FOR Wodonga’s Arcus family, this year’s Anzac Day will be especially memorable and not just because it marked the centenery.
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Saturday was the first, and likely only, time young Mitchell, Harry and Imogen Arcus marched alongside their great-grandfather Roy Blunt and grandfather Geoff Blunt.
Not only that but Mitchell, 12, proudly wore his great-great-grandfather’s medals as he led Trinity School in the procession, and four generations of the family took part in the Wodonga march.
Mr Blunt, 90, served in the RAAF 13th squadron between 1943 and 1945, while Geoff served in the RAAF between 1967 and 1972.
“Dad’s in the Central Coast and I’m in Bowral, so I thought 'wouldn’t it be nice if we all marched together here',” Geoff said.
Theirs was just one of the many stories that brought the city out from their warm, cosy homes to brave the wintry weather and attend the commemorative service on Saturday morning.
Hundreds lined Wodonga’s High Street armed with umbrellas as the march returned to its traditional route this year from the Wodonga RSL in Reid Street, along High Street and to Woodland Grove.
They clapped and cheered every one, from the ever-shrinking group of World War II soldiers, to the ever-growing ranks of those who served in Vietnam, East Timor and Afghanistan.
Once at the Woodland Grove memorial, Wodonga RSL president Kevyn Williams opened the service with prayers from chaplain Father Ben Hall.
Despite the rain threatening to belt down once again, the crowd stood steadfast, appreciative of the singer Philomena Dobson’s rendition of Amazing Grace and observant as community groups and schools lay wreaths at the cenotaph.
Guest speaker, Australian Defence Force Major Paul Bell spoke at length of the horrors faced by soldiers in World War I, which “remains the most costly war for Australia” in terms of the sacrifices made.
“History will help us remember... they will live on, through our nation’s easy familiarity, Australians looking out for each other, and our compassion in the face of adversity.”
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