NSW: Thousands line Sydney Streets to cheer veterans

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2000
NSW: Thousands line Sydney Streets to cheer veterans

SYDNEY, April 25 AAP - Thousands of people lined the streets of Sydney to pay their
respects to the 20,000 war veterans marching for Anzac Day.

New South Wales Governor Gordon Samuels was leading the parade ahead of 50 flag-bearing
taxis carrying elderly veterans unable to walk the distance from Martin Place to Hyde
Park.

A riderless horse representing veterans from the Boer War led a small contingent of
WWI veterans followed by defence personnel from every Australian military encounter up
to the Interfet troops.

Even before the march started, crowds were seven deep in Martin Place and George Street.

Some spectators used deck chairs to secure good vantage points.

Waving flags, cheering and applauding each new regiment, bystanders craned their necks
for a better view.

Several had tears streaming down their face while many more seemed on the verge.

The Sydney crowd made a concerted effort to cheer on the New Zealand returned service
men and women.

Many decorated veterans not marching walked up and down the footpath alongside their
former comrades.

Others simply looked on through tear-filled eyes.

AAP jb/jh/maur/adh

KEYWORD: ANZAC NSW

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