DESPITE significant storms keeping people inside for much of the weekend, even the clouds cleared to allow for a touching ceremony where respects were paid to fallen members of the Upper Hunter National Servicemen's Association and Affiliates (Nashos).
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A number of speakers came forward to talk about the sacrifices their fellow servicemen had made, while a crowd of onlookers that included widows of the lost took cover from the sun at the Nashos Memorial Garden.
Many members of the association are veterans of the Vietnam or Korean wars, although as was pointed out on the day, the lucky ones managed to slip in between the conflicts - but were often still ripped away from their normal lives for training.
Upper Hunter sub-branch Nashos vice-president Ray Cannon said it still meant a great deal to those involved to hold a commemoration each year.
"It's a remembrance of all our fallen mates who have gone before us, we like the widows to come around and put a poppy on the plaques of the little headstones we have here," he solemnly stated.
"We've all been on the journey of life and we've all been together.
"And, it's part of life that you remember your mates when they're gone so hopefully this will continue on."
A number of prayers and poems were read out, and wreaths were laid by several groups, including the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) who recently helped the group with an upgrade to the garden.
