"It shows to them that the public value and are honouring their service, and also those who have gone before.
"Even if it's not a dawn service and people turn up at civic services, that is acknowledgement they support our people going overseas to these conflicts."
Last year, publically held Anzac Day events were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the country being in lockdown. People were instead encouraged to gather at the end of their driveways at dawn.
In 2019, the Christchurch terror attacks on March 15 impacted some services, especially in Auckland.
Clark said Anzac Day was not about glorifying war but remembering the damage it could have so mistakes of the past were not made again.
"If we don't remember then we might make the same mistakes of the past," he said. "No one who has served will ever glorify war, they go as a feeling of duty.
RSA national president BJ Clark in front of the Chunuk Bair Memorial in Gallipoli. Photo / Alan Gibson
"When we remember on Anzac Day we remember our friends and I think the other side of it is to hope that those who make the decisions to send our young people away will think carefully before they make that decision."
Meanwhile, the service of women in the military was highlighted by this year's Poppy Day Appeal last week.
Last year, the appeal went online due to people being confined to their homes during alert level 4 lockdown and $270,000 was donated.
The 2021 appeal is themed Service and Sacrifice and acknowledges the service of women in the military.
