While no one has time to count heads the crowds at services across the Lithgow district seem to get bigger every year.

Yesterday it was that story of respect all over again and at least one ex-serviceman took a little time for what he described as a ‘rough count’ at Lithgow’s dawn service.

Bill Ranse tries to attend the dawn service in Elizabeth Park every year and said Thursday's roll up was the biggest he had experienced.

He estimated at least 1000 people were present despite the bone chilling welcome of the first real frost of the season.

But it was a far more comfortable setting later in the morning when a very big crowd again paid respect at a ceremony bathed in perfect autumn sunshine and in the delightful setting of Queen Elizabeth Park.

They were there to keep the legend alive.

Ex-servicemen, a handful of serving military personnel, local emergency services, youth groups, civic and political leaders, and schools had marched through Lithgow’s CBD.

The well turned out contingent from the Hampton bush school had been up early to get to Lithgow on time.

For probably the first time ever there was even a Swedish police uniform worn proudly in the parade.

Lithgow expatriate Scott Goodwin has been a member of the Swedish police for 11 years and marched proudly beside his brother, Lithgow police sergeant Darryl Goodwin.

Hundreds lined Main Street for the parade before following the marchers to the park.

Keynote speaker this year was Commodore Richard Phillips from the Royal Australian Navy Reserve.

Commodore Phillips said that great events live forever in our memory whether they achieved their intended goal or not.

And that’s how it is with Anzac Day — memories that moulded the Australian character.