FROM grandchildren of veterans to emergency service personnel, serving military and footy players, thousands turned out at events across Mackay to commemorate the Anzacs and the servicemen and women that fought for Australia.

The day started big with crowds eight to 10 people deep at the dawn services to hear The Last Post and to remember those who had fallen.

The words 'Lest we forget' and 'We will remember them' rung true in parades across the region with thousands of school children marching.

People who have never experienced war, but were grateful for the ultimate sacrifice that so many of our fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, sons, brothers, daughters and sisters had made.

The tributes continued to flow throughout the day with a special AFL match at Harrup Park where many of the diggers and families in the crowds catching up with fellow veterans and families.

And it wasn't just in Mackay; there were ceremonies across the region from Hay Point to Pioneer Valley.

And at every event the ode from English poet and writer Laurence Binyon was spoken and honoured;

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning

"We will remember them.”