Day reminds us not to forget war dead | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers

Day reminds us not to forget war dead

Dave Kirkpatrick | 11th November 2009

I WONDER how many people will actually remember Remembrance Day today.

How many people will take the time to stop chatting, twittering or emailing long enough to observe one minute’s silence at the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It marks the moment, 91 years ago today, that the guns fell silent on the Western Front to end hostilities in World War I.

The Great War, as it became known, saw the mobilisation of over 70 million people and left between nine and 13 million dead, many of them with no known grave.

More than 330,000 Australians served overseas and, of those, 60,000 lost their lives.

Australia’s last surviving WWI digger Jack Ross died in Victoria earlier this year.

Nowadays, Remembrance Day more broadly commemorates all those who lost their lives in war.

But as the number of WWI survivors in Australia has dwindled to none, Remembrance Day, as a ceremony, is no longer embraced in the same way as Anzac Day is.

Which is why it is heartening to hear from a spokesperson for the 41st Battalion Royal NSW Regiment, based in Lismore, that they will continue to support local Remembrance Day commemorative services.

With the defence budget under review, and resources stretched to the limit, it can’t be easy funding a uniformed presence at every ceremony.

But it would be a great shame if Remembrance Day becomes increasingly etched from the public’s collective memory.

And if you are reading this column after 11am, ask yourself one question – did you stop and remember?

Lest we forget.

 
Lismore Northern Star  
 
Top Picks
Northern Rivers Weather
  • Possible shower

    Today

    Possible shower

    19°C/29°C
  • Mostly cloudy

    Tomorrow

    Mostly cloudy

    19°C/30°C

4 day weather forecast »

Things To Do
TV Guide

What's On

Browse

 

powered by

Most Popular
Horoscopes
Aquarius

21 January - 19 February

Your social life and the contact with others will be very favorable today. You will search for profound and intimate relationships, and you will be willing to help... More Horoscopes »

Select your zodiac sign

Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces

Link to top
APN news and media

© APN News & Media Ltd 2010. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited under the laws of Australia and by international treaty. APN | APN Group Websites

Back to access links