Since 2008, Rear Admiral Colin Lawrence, (RADM) has given the special address at the Culburra Anzac Day Service.
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For RADM Lawrence, who holds the third highest active rank in the Royal Australian Navy, it is all about the community.
Although he is now based in Canberra, he commutes back to his family and his beloved community of Culburra most weekends.
The Culburra Anzac Day service holds a very special place in his heart.
"It is a day of great sadness, but also one of deep gratitude. There is that sense that those who served, their sacrifice has not been in vain. We have a government, a justice system, a society based on mutual respect, one where the freedom and dignity of the individual is important," he said.
Around 300 people attended the 2018 Anzac Day service at Culburra and RADM Lawrence is proud of how it has continued to grow in size each year, as well as the fact that there is now a dedicated war memorial at the Culburra Community Centre to those who served.
With Culburra having three World War 2 servicemen present for the 2018 Anzac day service, the fact that they were able to attend makes the day even more poignant for RADM Lawrence.
"Having the returned servicemen here puts a face on the sacrifice of serving. Not only those who died during the war, but those who came back with both physical and psychological scars," RADM Lawrence said.
"It's the one day of the year that they feel particularly valued."
Although RADM Lawrence is the first in his family to join the forces, he now has a son, Mitchell, at HMAS Creswell.
"It makes me proud. Although when I tell stories about young men who were his age losing their lives in war, it really brings it home," he said.
"I'd like to thank the whole Shoalhaven community that embrace the force.
“There is a real sense of community in the Shoalhaven. We as navy personnel can’t achieve or attempt to do what we do firstly without the support of our families.
“There is feeling the community is proud of us and supportive, particularly of those who commute or are away on duty. Our families are supported while we are away doing our navy stuff and that is very gratifying to know,” he said.
