He's certainly no stranger to Parkes' commemorations on Anzac Day - or to Parkes itself - and in 2021 Parkes man Craig Cole made it home again to be with family on such a significant day.
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The last time The Parkes Champion Post caught up with Cole was in 2017 when he was a corporal. Now a sergeant, Cole is a Tank Troop Commander from the 2/14 Light Horse Regiment based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.
His homecoming for a few days is part of an Australian Army program sending soldiers home for Anzac Day.
"I've got my mum, my dad, little sister, brother and a niece back home, with a lot of friends too," he said.
"The family really appreciate getting to spend Anzac Day with me, so they can pay their respects to the fallen and the current serving men and women."
Sergeant Cole said he made an effort to return home as much as possible.
"We grew up on the family farm, riding dirt bikes, hunting, playing footy for the local team, and I was a bricklayer there before I joined the army," he said.
"I try to get back home as often as I can. I'm pretty family-orientated so it's always good to get back and I've got plenty of good friends who I see as much as I can."
Sergeant Cole outlined what Anzac Day meant to him as a leader for other soldiers in the regiment.
"It's important to recognise all the good work that the men and women do in the Australian Defence Force, both currently serving and ex-serving," he said.
"And it's about remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country."