Aussies Urged To Check In On Veterans This Anzac Day As Coronavirus Cans Commemorations
Australians are being urged to give veterans a call this Anzac Day and continue to honour the incredible sacrifice of the country's servicemen and women.
The Returned and Services League said it's a "difficult time" for veterans, with many elderly and vulnerable people unable to leave their homes during the pandemic.
"I encourage everyone who knows a veteran... to give them a phone call and make sure that they're okay," Acting President of NSW RSL Ray James said.
While marches and ceremonies have been cancelled this year, Australians have been encouraged to stand in their driveways and take part in a minute's silence to honour the ANZACs.
There will also be a televised broadcast of the National Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra from 5.30 am on Saturday morning.
NSW will also have its own service that will be broadcast from Hyde Park's Anzac Memorial at 10 am.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said with traditional marches and local memorial services cancelled this year, ANZAC Day has a renewed meaning.
“As our community works together to stop the spread of COVID-19, we draw inspiration from the brave heroes we commemorate on this day," Berejiklian said.
“One hundred and five years after they set foot on the Gallipoli shore, the ANZACs speak to us more resoundingly than ever."
The legend forged more than a century ago guides us in this moment. It inspires us to dig in and look out for others, no matter the obstacles.
"The best way to honour our ANZACs is to echo them, and we will, for the ANZAC spirit lives in each of us. We will remember them.”
James said the cancellation of services is "devastating" for veterans as ceremonies see declining numbers of people attending Anzac Day each year.
However, he said the community understands coronavirus is a "one in a 100-year event."
The NSW Government is encouraging people to share videos reciting The Ode and post photos on social media using the tag #ANZACspirit.
The NSW service will be broadcast live on ABC TV and streamed on the ANZAC Memorial and RSL Facebook pages.
Meanwhile, NSW Health confirmed two new coronavirus deaths in the state, taking Australia's total number of fatalities to 74 on Wednesday.
There were five new coronavirus cases in NSW on Tuesday, bringing the state's total to 2,974.
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