The sound of The Last Post, the jingle of medals and the look of pride on people's faces - Anzac Day is a special event.
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The Milton Ulladulla Sub-Branch is getting ready to mark what will be two important Anzac Day events.
The Dawn Service, from 5.45am, in front of the memorial at the Ex-Servos Club on the Princes Highway, on Thursday, April 25, is sure to be hauntingly beautiful.
The Dawn Service will be followed by a ceremony from 10.30am at the Milton Cenotaph near the Princes Highway and both are sure to be well-attended.
Sub-branch president Paul Warren and vice-president Russell Williams are looking forward to the event.
Mr Williams said Anzac Day had special meaning for his family.
His grandfathers on both sides of his family served their country in World War One, he lost a couple of great uncles to conflict, while his father and father-in-law both served in WWII.
As a boy, Mr Williams has fond memories of his dad Bill marching on Anzac Day.
"My first memories was seeing all the medals which I was in awe of and seeing the gathering of uncles, grandfather and my father altogether," Mr Williams said.
"I was very proud to see them (his family members) marching and it was a tremendous feeling."
Mr Williams kept the tradition alive and served with the Royal Australian Navy and did 22-years, plus 27 in the reserves.
He loves to see children lining the streets and cheering all the servicemen on when they march.
Anzac Day is also a significant event for Mr Warren.
"Personally it's a good day for everyone to get together and pay tribute to those who have served and those who have sacrificed their lives for us," Mr Warren said.
"It's a very solemn day."
Mr Warren said the sub-branch makes sure to include children in a lead up to Anzac Day by attending high and primary school services.
"The service I attended at Ulladulla High was excellent and emotional," Mr Warren said.
He said respect was the theme of Ulladulla High's Anzac Day event and he added the students followed the theme.
The sub-branch also has a program where they send high school students over to the Kokoda Track.
Mr Warren knows the next generation will keep the Anzac tradition going.
"We always make a point of thanking the school children who have turned up for the Anzac Day service," he said.
"If it's not for the next generation then what is the point of it all?"
Mr Warren remembers attending Anzac Day services as a boy in the Central West town of Wellington.
The Sub-branch president said he looks forward to Anzac Day.
The group would love to get younger veterans and service people coming to their meeting which will soon be held on a Sunday.
Any ex-serviceman or current service personnel wanting more information on the sub-branch can call Mr Warren on 0439 781 306 or Mr Williams on 0438 414 879.
