In her 100 years, Molly Cummings has seen family come and go to war too many times.
She farewelled her two uncles and brother, not knowing if she would ever see them again.
Her brother served during World War II, in the Middle East and New Guinea.
"Fortunately, he survived," Ms Cummings told AAP.
"Anzac Day reminds me of him and my uncles."
The 100-year-old on Wednesday was among hundreds of female veterans who, for the first time, led Sydney's Anzac Day march.
Melinda Barnes, who has been in the Royal Australian Navy for 21 years, says the decision for women to be at the front is "another step in the right direction".
"It's our time this year," Ms Barnes told AAP.
Wheelchair-bound Kath Schmid was too unwell to march last year.
But the 92-year-old, guided by her daughter, didn't want to miss the chance to be at the front this year.
"It's very exciting," she told AAP.
Ms Schmid worked on the magnetic mine testing station during WWII for the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service in Darwin.
She wasn't deterred by the rain, which began just the parade started. Nor were the thousands that lined the city's Elizabeth Street to watch about 15,000 servicemen and women commemorate 103 years since troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey.
For Peter Hunter, who is five years into his time with the Royal Australian Navy, serving is in his blood.
He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom were in the Navy.
The sub lieutenant hopes people use Anzac Day to commemorate the sacrifices others have made and also remember those who are currently serving.
The crowd was filled with young and old - including four-week-old Archer Geulen-Oates, cradled by his mother Jessica whose husband - an Australian Air Force officer - was in the march.
The march was heavily guarded by police, with steel bollards placed across the route and semi-trailers blocking off parts of the city.
The end of the march coincided with a commemoration service held by RSL NSW at Hyde Park.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek, NSW Governor David Hurley, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott were among attendees.
Ms Berejiklian reflected on the honour and pride felt for all Australia's returned servicemen and women and their families.
Australian Associated Press
