As a young fella, Dick Crampton used to ride his bike down to the corner of David and Dean streets to watch the passing Anzac Day parade in Albury.
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Now, as a resident of Jindera for more than 30 years, he walks across the road to the town’s memorial park to honour the fallen every year.
Joining him this year was a crowd of more than 300 who gathered in the pouring rain and stood ankle deep in sheets of water for the memorial service hosted by St Mary MacKillop College.
As the voices of little children were raised in song, Mr Crampton remarked the future of Anzac Day lay in their hands.
“Without the kids, the celebration of Anzac Day would not happen,” he said.
“The numbers are dropping off now because (the people who served) are all gone.”
Students from Billabong High School, St Paul’s College Walla, Jindera Public School, Jindera pre-school, St John’s Lutheran and Mary MacKillop laid wreaths during the ceremony together together with representatives from the town’s many community organisations.
Members of the Australian Air Force Cadets stood stoic and respectful as the rain pelted down and the old and the young huddled under umbrellas to pay their respects to all who have served and died in war.
A moving address from Reverend Peter Murphy paid homage to the courage of the men who died on the battlefield during past wars.
But he reminded the gathering that bravery was also about showing support for those who had returned and were suffering physically and emotionally.
“They now need our strength and courage,” he said.
