Anzac Day is an opportunity for Australians to show thanks to their troops, either current, former or sadly lost.
But in video messages sent from Operation Astute in East Timor and Operation Slipper in Afghanistan, it's the troops who are saying thanks to both their families, and to the Australian public, for their support.
"It's an important day for us and we really appreciate the support from Australia," Lieutenant Commander Shane Firkin of Townsville said from Al Minhad Air Base.
Some messages are more intimate than others and give a glimpse of the life of solider who is serving far from home.
Craftsman Thomas Makin is also from Townsville and based at Kandahar Airfield with the Rotary Wing Group.
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"I'd like to say hi to my family and finds back at home, miss you heaps, but a special thanks to my fiancé Kelly who has been waiting so patiently, I miss you baby and I hope to see you soon." he said.
In East Timor, Sapper Andrew Schintler from Melbourne is a part of the engineer contingent of the international stabilisation force.
His message seems to represent the sentiments of those serving far from their families while they answer the call of duty.
“I'm over there for Anzac Day. I wish I was with my family but we are over here doing some good work in East Timor,” he said.
