Parkes Public school and Parkes High School captains had the opportunity to speak before the Parkes community about what Anzac Day means to them as youth in Australia.
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Parkes Public School captains, Ben Woolstencroft and Beth Deland reflected on how youth pay their respects to the Anzacs in Parkes.
"Anzac Day is a day of remembrance to recognise the sacrifice of the soldiers, nurses, doctors, animals and other fallen volunteers. It is also a day to embrace our beautiful country that has been built upon the sacrifices of the men and women who served Australia," Beth said.
"In the moment of silence we stand and face the flags with our arms by our sides and our eyes closed to commemorate all those who fought to protect our country, our home and our lives."
Beth recognised that Memorial Hill is a place of remembrance in Parkes and we also wear rosemary and bake Anzac biscuits on Anzac Day to remember the bravery, courage and selflessness of the service men and women of Australia.
"For the modern youth even if it is not Anzac Day we will always have the memory of the brave men and women who defended our land to ensure safe and healthy lives for future generations. We are thankful for their sacrifice as they have gifted us a privileged lifestyle free from the horrors of war," Ben said.
Parkes High School captains Kelsey Mann and Thomas Burkitt were grateful for the opportunity to represent the modern youth of Parkes on Anzac Day.
"As members of Parkes' modern youth we recognise the importance of Anzac Day in honouring and commemorating the soldiers and military personnel who bravely served and continue to serve our country," Thomas said.
"Today's youth still holds immense respect for the Anzacs and their courage. More children and families are attending dawn services and Anzac Day ceremonies yearly, taking time to pay their respects."
"We continue to look up to and inspire to embody the values and courage that past and current Anzacs have shown. This is reflected as the increasing numbers of Parkes High students work towards joining our defence forces empowered by the selfless actions of those who came before us," Kelsey said.
"We are still touched by the Anzac Day service over 100 years later due to timeless stories, photos and medals of our elders. The Anzacs not only gave us the freedom to live our lives at the cost of theirs but they also gave us a sense of hope," Thomas said.
"The hope they gifted us was the hope of Australia maintaining a positive future free from conflict and loss. The modern generation is sheltered from warfare and conflict due to the ANZACs and this makes us look forward to what the future holds and for Australia's youth."
"We as the modern youth believe that we should pay our respects not only during a moment of silence but everyday as we learn and strive to be better. We must be courageous and fight for what we believe even during the hardest of times, we must never give up and strive to be stronger, greater and respect others just like the Anzacs before us," Kelsey said.
