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ANZAC Day 2008

28 April 2008
Reviving of the Flame Ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

On the 18th of February 1806 Napoleon decreed that a triumphal arch be built to the glory of the Grande Armée. When the building was inaugurated in 1836 by Thiers, President of the Council under the July Monarchy, its purpose was to commemorate the military exploits of France under the Revolution and the First Empire.

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile has since then provided the setting for major state occasions such as a parade of the victorious French and Australian’s of the First World War in 1919 and the setting for an eternal flame. The Reviving of the Flame is done nightly at precisely 1830 in commemoration of the heroes of the Revolution and the Empire.

Australia’s Federation Guard, alongside the 1st Medical Regiment of the French Army provided a ceremonial guard during the Reviving of the Flame Ceremony. Distinguished guests included The Honourable Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, The Australian Ambassador to France, His Excellency David Ritchie, The New Zealand Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Sarah Dennis, and Lieutenant General David Hurley AO DSC, Chief of Joint Operations representing the Australian Defence Force.
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(L-R) Lieutenant General David Hurley AO DSC, Chief of Joint Operations, The New Zealand Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Sarah Dennis, The Australian Ambassador to France, His Excellency David Ritchie, The Honourable Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Madame Stocanne, the Presidente des Anciens Combattants des Dardanelles et des Fronts d'Orient (the President of the Veterans Accociation of the Dardanelles), a lucky spectator, and General Jean Combett, the President of the Association of the Arc de Triomphe revive the eternal flame at a ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on ANZAC Day.

(Date taken: 25 April 2008)
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Australian Army Band Buglar Corporal Andrew Barnett plays the 'Last Post' during the Reviving of the Flame Ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on ANZAC Day.

(Date taken: 25 April 2008)
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Australia's Federation Guard member Private Rhiannon Brown stands at attention during the Reviving of the Flame Ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on ANZAC Day.

(Date taken: 25 April 2008)
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Australia's Federation Guard member, Private Rhiannon Brown, stands at the ready as part of the Catafalque Party during the Reviving of the Flame Ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on ANZAC Day.

(Date taken: 25 April 2008)
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The Honourable Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs thanks Flying Officer Martin Alderette, part of the Australian Defence Force contingent at the conclusion of the Reviving of the Flame Ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on ANZAC Day.

(Date taken: 25 April 2008)
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The Honourable Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs reviews members of the 1st Medical Regiment of the French Army at the Reviving of the Flame Ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on ANZAC Day.

(Date taken: 25 April 2008)
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(L-R) Lieutenant General David Hurley AO DSC, Chief of Joint Operations watches on as General Jean Combett, the President of the Association of the Arc de Triomphe and Madame Stocanne, the Presidente des Anciens Combattants des Dardanelles et des Fronts d'Orient (the President of the Veterans Accociation of the Dardanelles) thanks The Honourable Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, following his participation in the Reviving of the Flame Ceremony held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

(Date taken: 25 April 2008)
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