The 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli has been more than just a news story - it has stirred rousing sights of people power across two countries.
Anzac services everywhere were packed. The dawn service at Lutwyche Cemetery - the resting place of Jack Tracey and hundreds of other servicemen - had at least twice its usual number. And that's one small example.
The interest levels cannot be attributed to blanket media coverage. The media is not good at telling people what to do - audiences figure that out for themselves.
The crowds turned up in record numbers because Anzac Day has the most powerful elements of a story. It crosses demographics - every Australian can believe that this country is fortunate because of the sacrifice of others. It features people - these young men, and women, who were subjected to the tragedy of war. And it involves some incompetence - the stories of the campaign bumblings at Gallipoli continue to rouse strong feelings among some Australians.
55 comms was named because of the life story of one of the hundreds of thousands of Australians who served in times of war.
May all Australians and New Zealanders savour something of note from this most special anniversary.