Fed: Anzac spirit alive and well as PM surprises troops in Iraq

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2004
Fed: Anzac spirit alive and well as PM surprises troops in Iraq

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has made a surprise visit to Baghdad for what he rates as
one of his most moving Anzac Days.

Mr HOWARD, who says he was intent on thanking Australian troops in the most evocative
way, was undeterred by shots heard during the dawn service at Baghdad airport.

He says it's the Australian way to just get on with what you're doing.

Thousands of other Aussies decided the Australian way was to defy government terror
warnings and attend the annual service at Gallipoli.

And with tens of thousands attending parades in towns and cities ain Australia, it's
clear the Anzac spirit this year is very much alive.

Two of Australia's six surviving WWI veterans made it to the Anzac Day parades - 106-year-old
PETER CASSERLY in Perth and 105-year-old MARCEL CAUX in Sydney.

AAP RTV dc/sp/jo

KEYWORD: ANZAC (SYDNEY)

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