They came in their thousands and stood side-by-side, arm-in-arm, in hushed silence to remember the fallen and the sacrifices made for Dunedin and New Zealand.
More than 10,000 huddled together on a brisk Dunedin morning at Queens Gardens to honour the many thousands of Kiwis who fought and died in the Great War - World War 1 - and subsequent wars.
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Led by a City of Dunedin Pipe Band lone piper and a 2/4 RNZIR Maori warrior, the colours were laid at the cenotaph and a moving service followed as the crowd watched on, their minds wandering often to the fate of their ancestors.
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) officiating Chaplin Rev Dr Tony Martin led the the service.
''The horror of war impacts everybody and no-one hates war more than those that have served,'' he said.
''For your tomorrows we give our today.''
Columba College head girl Alice Jones and John McGlashan College head boy Lochie Chittock gave well-spoken readings before guest speaker NZDF director of defence strategic relationships Commodore John Campbell, of Auckland, spoke on the importance of today.
''There are no unseen injuries from war,'' Com Campbell said.
''For 100 years we have sought to acknowledge and remember those that have fought for our country.''
He acknowledged the sacrifice made in two battles, the little-known Battle of Jutland, which was the largest and only full-scale naval battle and the Battle of Somme.
The values of courage, commitment and comradeship ''has a perfect place in our history as New Zealanders'', he said.
It was important to note that since 1940 there had been just seven years in which New Zealanders had not been involved in conflict in some form.
Dunedin RSA president Major retired Lox Kellas addressed the crowd, saying it was important to reflect on those who did not return from war.
''Our challenge for the next century is `lest we forget','' he said.
The performances of the Balmacewen Intermediate School Choir and the Flagstaff Community Choir were moving.
As the service concluded and the crowd dispersed, it was 6-year-old Erika Reilly, wearing her great grandfather's World War 2 medals, who summed the morning up best.
''It was awesome,'' she said.
• About 500 people paid their respects at a service at Mosgiel this morning.
Veterans, servicemen and women and dignitaries marched from the cemetery to the cenotaph led by the Mosgiel Brass Band, who were rousing in their rendition of God Save the Queen.
Mosgiel RSA president Noel Graham said he was ''very pleased'' with how the service went.
''It's a very important day for the RSA and it's one of the days the community attends,'' he said.
