Anzac Day, April 25, is one of Australia's most important national occasions.
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It goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915 to remember all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service.
The spirit of Anzac, with its qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.
In the lead up to Anzac Day 2017, The Times spoke with returned serviceman Ash Wilke to hear his thoughts on what the day means to him.
“Of course first and foremost it's a day of remembrance,” he said.
“But, personally I like to look at Anzac Day as a day to celebrate Australia.
“I researched an Aboriginal guy who was in World War 1. There was up to 50 Aboriginals who served at Gallipoli and 13 of them died.
“It goes over 100 years back. They were volunteers, they weren't conscripts and they were all fighting for Australia. Side by side.
“It's a celebration of Australia as a whole and what we are now.”
On the morning of Anzac Day, Ash will roll out of bed at “sparrow’s fart” to put on his best suit and start his day with a cup of rum and coffee.
“Just like the Diggers did,” he said.
“No sugar, the Diggers didn’t have sugar, did they? Just Bundaberg Rum and black, instant coffee. Half and half.
“It’s disgusting. Even though I hate it, I'll do it. It's a tradition that started in Gallipoli.”
The 32-year-old will then attend the dawn service at Ulladulla War Memorial before marching in the Anzac parade in Milton.
“This year, gladly, for the first time ever I will be marching in Milton,” he proudly said.
“I'll have family there and I'm sure I'll see people I grew up with, and went to school with in the crowd. They might remember me and that makes me feel very proud.
“The best thing will be having all my family there. Mum will be there and my daughter will walk with me. Hopefully our son is walking next year and they can both come with me.”
One of the main things he remembers on Anzac Day is the men who died while he was on tour in Afghanistan, Ash said.
“It’s very emotional to think back on that stuff,” he said.
“I think of how when we would see them off you'd have your runway ceremony. Everyone would salute and you'd carry that salute until the Hercules was out of sight.”
Ash will spend the remainder of day with his mates as he celebrates the country our veterans fell for.
“Yes people have had to die for it but they died so we could be free,” he said.
“So we could have choice. We have all these freedoms we have been able to uphold and keep. That’s what those people fought and died for.
“People can take it as symbology and look at the flag and say, ‘we fought for the flag,’ but I look at it that we fought for Australia.”
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