A veteran of services in the district since Joondalup and Wanneroo Freeman Nick Trandos presided over the former Shire of Wanneroo, the retired Uniting Church Minister was preparing to lead the prayer in Central Park on the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
"I heard a baby crying," he told the Wanneroo Anzac Day service, which followed the Joondalup dawn service and Wanneroo parade. "Not far from me. I don't know if mummy was holding the baby or if it was in a pram; the crowds were that big I couldn't see. "
"And it just struck me that this was that little baby's first Anzac Day service, the first of a lifetime of commemorations which will be part of his or her life since before she or he can even remember.
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READ NOW"That baby crying reminded me of the next generation as previous generations of young people have taken up the torch of remembrance for all who paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Rev Myles (71), who served with the RAF and the former Rhodesian air force and army, said it was inspiring to see the wonderful growing representation of young people.
"I look round and see all these young, happy smiling faces," he said.
"It gives us oldies some hope when we see them."
Wanneroo guest speaker and Australian military veteran Dion Gliddon said as a child she had watched her Service veteran father and grandfather shed tears during the Last Post sounding.
"As a mother, Anzac Day means to me responsibility," she said.
"Responsibility to teach my children the meaning of the day.
"To teach them the horrors others have seen and face so they can live in a free country.
"To teach them the spirit of Anzac so our future generations do not forget, that they cannot forget."