And, as last year’s record Anzac crowds showed, the sombre day of marked reflection continues to grow in the hearts and minds of many, as the weary men and women who served in World War I and II become only a memory for us to carry for future generations to pay tribute. 

But let’s remember the day is becoming more and more about men and women serving in all conflicts.

While some will only appreciate the day for the public holiday that comes with it, even those who have taken advantage of the time to go fishing or get away for the weekend are expressing the very freedom of choice our brave soldiers have fought for, and will continue to fight.

Today’s generation hasn’t had the spectre of wars past looming over their futures, but now the relatively new threat of terrorism is thrust upon it.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist’s Doomsday Clock is precariously sitting at three minutes to midnight – the closest it’s been since 1984 during the Cold War.

This day is not a celebration or glorification of war – it is remembering the human toll to atrocities in the past, and unfortunately the present as well.

Monday’s front page story is a perfect example of the personal stories behind the beating of a war drum.

Leslie Barrand served his country with honour as a sniper in World War I. 

He enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on March 25, 1915 as a 20-year-old and earned a Military Medal for his bravery. 

He moved to Wagga after the war in 1919 and carved a respectable life within the community – including becoming an Alderman of the city for 25 years, including a three-term stint as mayor.

He died on June 24, 1968, in Sydney.

His wartime scrawling on a brick in a France tunnel has only just been uncovered by an archaeologist. 

In an increasingly technological world, it is refreshing to see the world still has many secrets to reveal.

With those secrets comes a rich tapestry of stories to retell of life as a frontline soldier in unimaginable conditions. 

Conditions no one wishes to ever see again.

But we must never forget.