SYDNEY(Reuters) – Thousands gathered Monday in Australia and New Zealand to pay tribute to military personnel at Anzac day.

Anzac Day commemorated an historic battle that took place on Gallipoli, Turkey’s peninsula during World War One. On the 25th of April 1915, thousands from the Australian Army Corps and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), were part of a much larger Allied force, landing at the Gallipoli peninsula’s narrow beaches in an ill-fated operation that claimed more than 130,000 casualties.

Anzac Day is today to honor all Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have served in all conflict zones.

Scott Morrison (Australian Prime Minister), who is up for election in March, was present at the Darwin dawn service, where he paid respect to those living in Ukraine, and also gave thanks to all who have helped them.

Morrison declared, “On the particular day, while we honor those who fought in our freedom and liberty, we stand by the peoples of Ukraine who do exactly the same thing right now.”

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, stated that Russia’s invasion in Ukraine showed peace can not be assumed.

Ardern stated that while New Zealand may seem far from the conflict, it is inextricably connected to its causes in Auckland’s Anzac Day speech.

An Anzac day dawn service was held at Auckland Museum, where the Ukraine flag was displayed.

People gathered in New Zealand and Australia at dawn on Monday to witness the absence of any pandemic restrictions.

ABC News reports that Ray James, a Navy veteran, stated at Sydney’s Martin Place Cenotaph dawn service, “The past few years have proven to be really difficult with COVID-19.”

“I am really thrilled to see the huge crowds who have turned up today.”