LIKE many service men and women who spend Anzac Day overseas, Sapper Dan Petrie will stop with the nation to remember those who have fallen.

Sapper Petrie, 22, an army engineer and truck driver deployed in East Timor, will experience Anzac Day away from home but with his mates.

“It is a humbling experiencing knowing that you are serving overseas for your country at such a time and serving alongside our New Zealand colleagues in uniform,” Sapper Petrie said.

“My understanding of the history of the Australian Digger – the Australian Anzac is that of legend.

“I don’t see myself like that, but it is pretty special being a part of the Australian Defence Force at this time of year when Australians stop to commemorate Anzac Day.”

Sapper Petrie said it was an honour to serve while the Anzac tradition continued to grow in the hearts and minds of Australians.

“I feel proud to be an Australian soldier and part of that is the legend that is Anzac, even though I have many more amenities available to me than what was available to them,” Sapper Petrie said.

“The Anzacs back then didn’t have communication with families, besides the few letters.

“They had no fresh food and lived in constant danger.”

The former Tweed Heads St Joseph’s College student joined the army in 2007 and trained as a combat engineer before tackling specialist driver-training.

“My earlier training in Sydney and Darwin was all about preparing you for when you go on operations – it gives you the skills you need to do the job properly,” Sapper Petrie said.

“Now I’m doing my job for real.

“I get to drive all sorts of vehicles for tasks such as patrols, resupply and area reconnaissance.”

“It’s a bit of an eye-opener here.

“I’m glad I’m doing my bit, but it also makes me appreciate where I’m from a bit more.

“It has given me a broader outlook on the world and it makes me appreciate the life we have in Australia. I’m also working alongside some of the best people I’ve known in my life and I’ve been able to achieve things I thought weren’t possible – and that’s why I joined the army in the first place.”