It had been 50 years since he first went to South East Asia and Bill Beattie's weary bones couldn't stand for the long walk down the street but his heart was there memories of a tough time flowing back ever so slightly.-

''I served in 1965 and 1968 when we came back not many wanted to know us but eventually people recognized the things we did''-

Mr Beattie and the big crowd witnessed a special and endearing moment. Korean war veteran Noel Burns walking with his daughter who had come from Western Australia.-

Mr Burns had kept most of his army years much of a secret and only till recently did her daughter realise her father was decorated war veteran.-

Tears welled in Mr Burns eyes but his dedicaton will never be forgotten.

The event host Tracy Woods talked about her relations during World War's I and 2 while Cr David Grant said Gallipoli was where the Anzac legend was born and said it was a modern example for us all.-

Current serviceman Josh Coleman who serves as Wing Commander and was recently in the Sinai desert said ceremonies like Mumbil should shine for times to come '' To show their work was not in vain we have to carry these events on for generations to come''-

Children told poems and Leah Stokes showcased a heartwarming story of a World War I man who struggled with life on the frontline.-

At Gollan a large crowd and engineer and Army reservist Sam Baumgarten told of how many men from farms in the area had gone to war ''Dozens who had lived on and worked on the land'' many he said went because of a sense of belonging. Local Ant Barton told the same stories but about his forebears how they journeyed, sacrificed and fell.-

But Mr Baumgarten also discussed the heavy heartbreak of post battle fatigue when men like the Barton's returned, if they had survived the bloody wars.-

He fast forwarded to today. Called on governments and the community not to let current day soldiers ''fall through the gap'' when they came home as he talked about the forgotten men who had returned in previous battles.-

''I call on you to remember that war is not a distance memory'' -

''Our countries abilities to help have improved and are sustainable we have 35,000 volunteers out there in Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor, Solomon Islands, the Middle East and other countries''-

He asked the community to ensure the legacy of the soldier lived on and the men and women had the right care when they came back from defending us because we owed them a deep and genuine debt of gratitude.