As people took their seats or found a place to stand, the crowd heard a march off in the distance.
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A march to the timing of drums and the footsteps of many, led by the bugler alongside the snare and bass.
The Shepparton Anzac Day dawn commemorative service began at 6am with Mark Stephens as the morning’s MC.
The guest speaker for the service was Shepparton-born Daniel Gleeson, who enlisted in the Australian Army at age 20 in 2001.
Mr Gleeson was deployed several times to operations in Iraq and East Timor.
He received several awards and honours for his time in the army and is an active member of the Shepparton RSL committee.
He spoke about how his connection to Anzac Day had changed throughout the years, sharing memories of his time in the army and back in civilian life.
“As a junior soldier with no operational experience ... Anzac Day was largely about two days of celebration with fellow soldiers,” he said.
“We used to call it the diggers’ Christmas.”
Before Anzac Day, soldiers would stay up listening to war stories from senior soldiers and officers.
“Let’s just say they never let the truth get in the way of a good story,” Mr Gleeson said.
“The following morning consisted of a traditional gunfire breakfast and rum and coffee prior to the dawn service.”
Following the service, the soldiers would participate in the march, but that wasn’t the end of the day’s events.
“That’s when the shenanigans really began,” he said.
“For those that don’t know, while the army and the navy have a strong working relationship in mutual respect, it didn’t stop the diggers and sailors trying to get one up on each other.
“You can make a real name for yourself as a junior soldier by getting your hands on one of the sailors’ caps.
“In this day and age, I believe it’s called stealing but back then, we called it being a larrikin.
“This trait was definitely handed down by the Anzacs.”
As Mr Gleeson grew older, Anzac Day became less about friendly banter and more about his duty as a soldier.
“As a slightly more mature soldier on operations overseas ... you didn’t have time nor ... the place for reflection,” he said.
“If you did, you could endanger the lives of your patrol or fellow soldiers.”
No longer in the army, Mr Gleeson said reflection had become a major part of Anzac Day for him.
“Nowadays, Anzac Day is the time for reflection, especially on those that have come before me, those I served with and remembering mates who didn’t come home,” he said.
“It’s reflecting on my family and trying to sense what they must have been going through when I was away.”
Mr Gleeson concluded his speech with a message to Australians not to forget why we gathered once a year on April 25.
“The Anzac spirit must never be forgotten,” he said.
“We should remember them, not as old soldiers from the forgotten war, but as the young Australians they were in 1915.
“Be proud of our heritage and the Anzac spirit.
“This spirit we must pass on to the next generation.”
Following the service, a gunfire breakfast was held at the Shepparton RSL with all proceeds going to the Anzac Appeal.
Cadet Journalist