THOUSANDS of people filled the street in front of the city's cenotaph to pay respect to the fallen soldiers at today's Anzac Day Dawn Service.
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The city's young and old gladly bore the early rise to honour those who fought and are still fighting for their country.
Keriane Rowley has never missed a dawn service during her 25 years of living in Wagga.
While she has no past or current connection to the defence force, she said attending the dawn service was the least she could do to honour those who have served.
"The first service we went too, 25 years ago, there was about 20 people there," she said.
"Each year, it has grown-and-grown. It is fantastic too see so many young people there who are honouring those soldiers."
Greg Breust of Wagga is a yearly attendee of the dawn service, but after missing last year's service he has been reminded of the day's importance.
"Before, last year I attended the dawn service every time, but there was a forecast with a chance of rain so I decided not to go," he said.
"Afterwards, I felt so bad because our soldiers went through much worse than rain. They made so many sacrifices and I realised that I can do this small thing to honour their memories."
For him, Anzac Day was about honouring his grandfather who died before he had the chance of meeting him.
"He was returning from war when his plane was lost in 1945. It was about 2005 when the remains of the plane were recovered," he said.
Since then, Mr Breust has found "a much closer connection" to his grandfather and has started representing his family in the annual march.
"I decided to march for the first time last year. It made me realise that I should have been that for my grandfather every year," he said. "But, Anzac Day is also a time to think about the current people in service and the sacrifice they continue to make."
After the dawn service, hundreds of people visited the city's war cemetery.
Robert Priestley of Wagga was at the cemetery service to "honour and remember" his relatives and those soldiers who have been forgotten.
He is fourth generation military and proudly watched his son, who is fifth generation, partake in the service.
Wagga RSL Sub-Branch secretary Ken May led the service. He said it was to keep the soldiers' memories alive.
"People drive past the cemetery everyday and probably don't know that it is actually there. This service reminds people and it is especially important that we see more young people attend each year," he said.
Mr May was wearing his grandfather's medals during the service. He has also served in the defence force.
"He was 16-years-old when he wanted to join the war, but he wasn't old enough. So, my grandfather sent him to South Africa and he joined over there," he said.
"His brother also joined after him, but he was killed at the Western Front and has a no name grave."
Mr May will be participating in the march down Baylis Street today.
He said the feeling was "too hard" to describe, but seeing the young people come out to wave flags during the march was a special moment.
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