Today, 11 November 2024, marks 105 years since the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare ending at 11am, on the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918. The day of commemoration now known as ‘Remembrance Day’ serves as an occasion of national unity, where all Australians pause for a minute of silence to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the people who lost their lives while serving Australia and its allies.
Captain Tony Aldred led our solemn and respectful service. Locals and visitors alike gathered at the Kangaroo Valley cenotaph. Over 30 people paused to honour our brave armed forces for their service, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Australian National Flag was dipped to half-mast to commemorate our fallen heroes.
Our service commenced with welcoming remarks by Captain Aldred followed by a short commemorative speech to capture the significance of the day.
Wreath-laying was led by Mr Mike Hayes, who represented Ms Fiona Phillips MP – Federal Member for Gilmore. Various local services, groups, the Kangaroo Valley Public School and visitors then took turns laying wreaths.
Captain Aldred completed the service by giving a touching closing speech to remind us of how lucky we are today to be living in this country, enjoying the freedoms many may take for granted.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Intan Kallus
CAPT TONY ALDRED, CSC, RAN
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are here for the 105th anniversary of the first Remembrance Day, and 106 years since the Armistice to end World War One, “the War to end all Wars”.
At the suggestion of an Australian journalist, Edward Honey, King George V adopted the idea for an Empire-wide mark of respect for the fallen, and proclaimed that two-minutes silence would be observed at 11am on 11th November 1919, so that the Empire could mark the moment which “stayed the world-wide carnage of the four preceding years and marked the victory of Right and Freedom.”
The scale of loss in World War One was overwhelming, with about 70 million people mobilised worldwide, of whom over 9 million died, including 60,000 Australians, including our own Valley Boys. It is no wonder that Remembrance Day is now one of our two most well-known national days, along with ANZAC Day, to annually commemorate the sacrifices made by our service men and women defending the freedoms we all desire, and deserve.
——————————————————-//———————————————–
Can you imagine an Australia being run by tyrants, without freedom of speech, religion, or political affiliation? An Australia without the choice to marry the person we love, determine what “our” family will be, or achieve our desired level of education or employment. I can’t!
Preserving the peace, and all the freedoms that come with it, is the aim of those who serve in our Australian Defence Force, even if this means making the ultimate sacrifice, whether in training or in conflict. So, I ask you to think of those who have served, with over 102,000 killed since Australia federated in 1901, fighting for a country their children and grandchildren could be proud of, and enjoy forever.
They have committed their lives to preserving the peace, through (unfortunately) preparing for war.
Lest we forget.
