As tanks rolled through the heart of Darwin and helicopters roared overhead, people have lined the streets in thought-to-be record numbers for the Anzac centenary march.
More than 10,000 attended the dawn service, police estimate, and at least that number turned out later on Saturday morning for the parade.
Thousands of Australian troops marched alongside about 400 US Marines and 54 sailors from the New Zealand ship Endeavour to the non-stop applause of Darwinites leaning over balconies, sitting in ute trays and waving Australian flags from camp chairs.
Eric Dougherty, battalion commander for Marine Rotational Force Darwin, said 800 of the 1100 Marines in the Top End participated in dawn services in Darwin and Palmerston.
There was nothing like it in the US, he said.
"To see the civilian community come and participate in the ceremony is very unique, we don't have anything like that," he told AAP.
"We were astounded at the amount of people that turned out for this."
The two countries had a long history of fighting side by side in major conflicts, he said, and the Americans had "a remarkable respect" for the Anzacs.
"When you look at the courage and valour displayed by the soldiers, there's no one who could say that's a failure at all," he said.
Alan Davies fought in New Guinea in the Second World War and was marching with the Darwin RSL.
"It's sort of nostalgic, actually, it's quite different," he said of participating in the centenary.
He said the Anzacs made an impression on how he carried himself in war.
"It brings back memories of good times and bad times so I try and keep up with it," he said.
St John's Ambulance cadets Shyla Kennedy, 10, and Faith Solo, nine, said marching in the parade was fun.
Anzacs "are awesome," Shyla told AAP.
"We respect people who fought for us," Faith said, and at Gallipoli "they did something really good, they risked their lives for us".
When asked if they could do the same one day, they chimed "yes" in unison.
By 10am crowds had dispersed for Anzac lunches and two-up.
"I think we're going to lose some money but it's alright," Commander Dougherty said.
"It'll be a donation."
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