Thousands of people turned out on Anzac Day in Lismore to honour those who have served their country. But it was the kindness of two soldiers that will have a lasting impact on two youngsters.
Six-year-old Andres Velasquez-Heaton and his brother Jack, 8, were at the service to pay tribute to their grandfather Jack Heaton, who served in World War II.
The boys had recently visited the War Memorial in Canberra with family and were fascinated to find their grandfather's war records. It sparked an interest in them joining the armed services when they got older.
Commanding Officer of 41 Royal NSW Regiment Daniel Healy struck up a conversation with the family after the service on Thursday.
Commanding Officer Healy said they had been talking about badges when the boys expressed their interest in following their grandfather's footsteps. So they presented the boys with the Rising Sun badges from their hats.
The boys were quick to add them to the school hats, their mum saying it "meant a lot to them" to receive the badges.
Commanding Officer Healy said about 230 soldiers from the 41st Battalion were participating in 24 services from Tweed Heads to Taree.
The battalion is based in Lismore, but the soldiers are spread across the region.
The service
Major Alex Rubens spoke at the service about the significance of Anzac Day.
He said it was a day of remembrance rather than a celebration of war. The major said it was indicative of the Australian spirit that the day of remembrance was held on a day that marked one of the nation's saddest defeats, rather than a great triumph.
"It is a tradition we maintain to remember the pain and suffering caused by war, in the hope that we will work to avoid war in the future, at all costs," Major Rubens said.
"It is a solemn occasion to reflect on the cost that is paid for the gift of safety and freedom that we all take for granted today.
"Anzac Day should be a continual reminder of the debt we owe to those who protected us, both on and off the battlefield."
Returned serviceman Mick Crumpton served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR) in Townsville, and was deployed to East Timor and Afghanistan.
Mr Crumpton's grandfather inspired him to sign up.
"My pop was in the army and I looked up to him, so it was something I wanted to do," he said.
Mr Crumpton left the armed services in 2012, but he thought it was important to be a part of Anzac Day.
He said it was good to see so many people supporting Anzac Day, including children.
"It's good, especially seeing this turnout. This is the first mid-mrning march I have done in 10 years and it's the most people I've ever seen here. It's awesome, especially all the school kids."
Mr Crumpton's children, Nash, 7, and Pippa, 5, who go to Goonengerry School, joined him in the march at Lismore.
Graham Hutley agreed it was important to have the service to remember those who had served their country.
Mr Hutley was wearing his own medals from National Service with the 41st Battalion, and his father's medals from his time serving in the air force in New Guinea.
Once wreaths were laid, Last Post was played, and the pledge to "remember them" was made, the Lismore Pip Band made its annual pilgrimage to the Civic Hotel, where a beer or two was raised in memory of mates left behind in conflict.
