While Anzac Day's popularity has varied over the years, it seems to be gaining greater momentum and significance.

Captain Ian Young was part of the UNITAF force in Somalia in 1993, where they observed Anzac Day in their own unique way.

DIARY EXTRACT

Saturday 17, April, 1993

"Anzac Day started with the traditional dawn service attended by the Kiwi's, Turks (including the guest of honour LTGEN Bir, the Commander UNOSOM 11), Americans, French, and ourselves. I scored the job of escorting the Commander French Forces, Brigadier General Quatro. After the service, the UNOSOM Aussie movers put on a great breaky (of bacon and eggs) before we all went down to Arroyo Beach to play touch footy, beach volley ball and generally had a swim, surf etc.

"Went up to the Kiwi Army camp for a hungi and our regulation two beers: a good time was had by all and the event of the day apart from the two-up was watching the donkey races (a real scream that almost turned into all in brawl as the spectators turned to dragging the donkeys along which in turn led to the rugby tackling all those people which in turn led to the tackling of donkey riders and even the donkeys themselves!)."

CAPTAIN IAN YOUNG, UNITAF, SOMALIA

Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove, who led the successful Interfet force in East Timor in 2000 after the referendum to gain independence from Indonesia, explains how Anzac Day is important to todays young.

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Artificer Sergeant Major Michael Needham served as an Australian peacekeeper in Cambodia in 1993 and Bougainville in 1999. Anzac Day continues to have a resonance for him.

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