Prime Minister Tony Abbott has formally thanked and acknowledged the almost 35,000 Australians who served in military operations in Afghanistan over the past 13 years, including the 41 who died there.

His message was repeated at parades and ceremonies across the nation on Saturday, recognising all who served in Operation Slipper, which started in October 2001 and concluded at the end of last year.

Like a mini-Anzac Day, large crowds of well-wishers lined streets, clapping as serving personnel and veterans marched.

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In Canberra, a pair of C-130 Hercules flew low overhead. These were the aircraft on which most personnel arrived and departed from bases in Tarin Kowt, Kandahar and Kabul.

Some decades ago, Mr Abbott said, Australians came home from another war – Vietnam – and were not properly acknowledged.

“So, today, on behalf of our nation, I say to all our Afghanistan veterans: we are grateful to have you home, we acknowledge your achievements, and we thank you for your service.”

Mr Abbott said Australia mourned the 41 who died in Afghanistan.

“We grieve with the 263 who suffered serious physical wounds and we acknowledge the unseen wounds of hundreds more. Your mission is over but our mission to stand with you and to support you continues,” he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten echoed his sentiment, saying Australia saluted those who had brought new honour to the Anzac tradition.

“We renew our promise to remember your brothers, who lost their lives in the mountains and green valleys of Afghanistan. We pledge our support to the wounded and to all those who have come back to Australia forever changed by what they experienced,” he told the Canberra ceremony.

Those who marched were delighted at the show of support.

Flight Lieutenant Steven Booth, 28, an air controller in Afghanistan, said it was great to know the nation was behind them.

“The public perception of the military is very high and it’s great to be able to live up to those high expectations.”

Army deputy chief Major General Rick Burr, who commanded special forces in Afghanistan, said soldiers were very proud of their achievements, even though special forces incurred many of the casualties.

“Those people that made the ultimate sacrifice, gave their lives, would say they were doing what they loved, they were doing it with their mates and they were making a difference,” he said.

March leader in Canberra, Major General Simone Wilkie, who served as deputy commander in Afghanistan, said it was an occasion to consider the service and sacrifice of personnel who served in Afghanistan along with Australian Federal Police staff and government officials.

“It was over 34,500 ADF members – that would be the equivalent of everyone in Bathurst or Warrnambool deploying on operations over a war that spanned 14 years,” she said.

Patrick Foxley, 30, was one of about 300 civilians who participated in Operation Slipper.

“For me, the parade here in Canberra is an opportunity for myself and other defence civilians to have a bit of recognition of the service we provided. I don’t think a lot of the general public know that many civilians have ever been on operations,” he said.

About 400 personnel remain in Afghanistan in non-combat support roles.

– AAP