As the sun rose over the clock tower in Apia on Wednesday, children were remembering their family members who contributed to the ANZACs.

The dawn service began at 5:30am with a march to the clock tower where dignitaries laid wreathes at the foot of the tower in honour of fallen servicemen.

These children took time to pay tribute to their ancestors who fought in the world wars. 

Among the crowd were sisters, Louise and Sophie Mann, and Kirra and Jasmine Bragg. 

They joined their parents to honour their grandparents and great grandparents who fought for Australia.

 “We have to respect the people who gave their lives for us,” said Kirra.

Sophie added: “Quite a few people in our family fought in the wars, so we came to remember them and what they did for us.”

Hailing from Canberra and Sydney, the four girls had pride in their voices talking about their ancestors, who luckily survived the wars and returned home.

Jasmine said the sacrifices of soldiers in the wars meant people like her were saved from danger.

 “We respect the people who gave their lives for us.”

New Zealand High Commissioner, David Nicholson, said ANZAC Day is a critical part of history.

 “This morning we meet as the original New Zealand and Australian ANZACS did 100 years ago on ANZAC Day 1918 to honour the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and to remember and acknowledge the service and sacrifice that has over the course of more than a century, come to define the ANZAC spirit,” Mr. Nicholson said. 

 “Despite the bravery, tenacity, practicality, ingenuity and ‘mateship’ displayed by New Zealand and Australian forces during WW1, the impact on our small, still emerging neighbouring nations was at best momentous, worst and catastrophic.”