Dear Editor,

I would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of Australians who took part in Anzac Day commemorations. Ceremonies and marches were held across the country in almost every town and city. It was pleasing to see so many young Australians played key roles in local services from reading poems to playing the Last Post. Many young Australians kept the Anzac tradition alive by marching and wearing with pride the medals of their forebears.

Anzac Day is an important day for all Australians. It is our chance to publicly honour the men and women who have served our nation at home and abroad in wars, conflicts and peace operations. Organising Anzac Day services and marches is a huge task, and I thank everyone, especially veteran and local organisations, who volunteered their time to help put together this year's activities.

As our veteran community age, we look to the next generation to continue this volunteering tradition. This year marked the 93rd anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli. More than 10,000 Australians made the journey to Gallipoli this year to take part in commemorations at Anzac Cove where the Anzac tradition was born.

2008 also marks the 90th anniversary of the final battles on the Western Front and the end of World War I. I was overwhelmed to see more than 5000 Australians make the long journey to France to attend the Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

Thousands of Australians also attended services at other locations around the world including at Long Tan in Vietnam, Hellfire Pass in Thailand, Isurava in Papua New Guinea and Sandakan in Malaysia.

Alan Griffin
Minister for Veterans' Affairs