Anzac national service attracts thousands

CANBERRA'S ANZAC CENTENARY MARCH AND NATIONAL SERVICE

* HOW MANY: About 31,000 people from around Australia watched more than 2000 marchers in the Canberra parade.

* WHO WAS THERE: Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, acting prime minister Warren Truss, New Zealand Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, the Duke of Kent, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr plus a host of Australian and foreign dignitaries.

* TRIVIA TIDBIT: Ahead of the march, one of just eight remaining 18-pounder guns used in Gallipoli was drawn across the parade ground by a team of horses.

* WHAT WAS SAID: "The spirit of Anzac lies not just in a place that you visit, or a book that you read or solely in the men and women of our armed forces of today. The spirit of Anzac lies in us all." - Sir Peter Cosgrove, delivering the commemorative address.

* FROM THE MARCHERS: "The focus should be on World War I; I don't think it's been too much. It's all about where the Anzac thing started." - Vietnam veteran David Hede.