By YASEMIN TALAT
THIS ANZAC Day one of Werribee’s own will be one of the 14 guardsmen to make up the Gallipoli contingent.
Lance Corporal (LCPL) Neil Bautista is part of Australia’s Federation Guard and will stand at the Gallipoli Memorial throughout the ANZAC Day dawn service.
LCPL Bautista said he was proud to be part of the ANZAC Day commemorations at Gallipoli.
“Gallipoli means a lot to me,” he said.
“Gallipoli brought out the best in every man who fought and died there.”
LCPL Bautista joined the army in 2006.
He completed his initial training in Kapooka and then undertook further training to become a rifleman.
He was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and has participated in ANZAC Day ceremonies in France and Belgium.
“Reading stories about heroism and willingness to lay down one’s life for a mate makes me proud of the ANZACS,” LCPL Bautista said.
“To me it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to pay tribute to our proud heritage, the courage of our ancestors and the ANZAC spirit.”
LCPL Bautista and his fellow guardsmen have dedicated their time to perfecting their precision and timing during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Hall of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial and in the forecourt of the national shrine in Canberra.
On ANZAC Day the guardsmen will be watched by Australian and international politicians and officials, thousands of visitors and millions of Australians watching on television.
