THIS Remembrance Day, Tuesday, November 11, Australians across the nation and around the world will pause at 11am for one minute’s silence to remember the sacrifice of those who have served in our country’s uniform during times of war and conflict.
We remember and pay special tribute to the more than 102,000 Australians who have lost their lives in war, in conflict and on peacekeeping operations. We think, too, of those who returned from the battle fields carrying the scars of their service and the families who care for them.
Our current serving members who are away from their loved ones, are also in our thoughts and we thank them for their service.
I encourage all Australians to pause for reflection at 11am, to wear a red poppy and , if possible, attend a commemoration ceremony in your local community. Remembrance Day is a time for all of us to reflect on a century of service and sacrifice. This year marks the beginning of the commemoration of the Centenary of Anzac, recognising a century of service.
Purchasing a poppy contributes significantly to the fundraising work of the Returned and Services League (RSL). The money raised helps to provide financial and medical assistance, as well as advocacy and support services to current and former serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
Should you require help to conduct a Remembrance Day ceremony, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has a range of freely available resources to assist you, including a step-by-step guide to running a ceremony, and accompanying audio files such as the National Anthem and the Last Post. As it does each year for Remembrance Day, the Department has also produced a commemorative poster, which this year focuses on the departure of the first troop convoy from Albany in 1914. All of these resources are available on the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au/remembranceday.htm
Lest we forget.
Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson is the Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Source: Returned Services League
