Lachlan Stevens, vice-president of welfare at City of Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch, asks everyone to pause for a moment of reflection this Remembrance Day. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
More than a century ago, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the bloodshed of World War I.
This moment has been adopted across the world as a time to remember those who served and sacrificed in all wars and conflicts. The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) this year asks all Australians to ‘Remember to Remember’.
More than 102,000 service men and women have made the supreme sacrifice for Australia in all wars and conflicts.
In World War I alone, more than 62,000 Australians died and 156,000 suffered wounds or illness – from a population at that time of fewer than five million, about the number of people who live in Sydney today.
On Saturday 11 November 2024 RSL sub-branches across the Illawarra region will conduct commemorative services.
This year the City of Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch’s service will begin at 10:55 am at the Wollongong Cenotaph.
Lachlan Stevens, vice-president of welfare at the City of Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch, said taking the time to pause was important.
“Busy lives and competing priorities mean sometimes we can forget to take a moment out of our day to reflect and remember our service men and women on Remembrance Day,” he said.
“Commit to pausing for a minute to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country, those who returned home injured or ill, and those who serve our nation today.
“Set a reminder on your calendar, switch your phone to Do Not Disturb, put aside that urgent report for just one minute, and remember.”
There are other ways you can pay your respects, too.
Wearing a poppy shows veterans and their families they are not forgotten. Poppies are the universal symbol of remembrance and a reminder of the human cost of war.
It is traditional to wear a poppy on your lapel to acknowledge and honour the service of our veterans.
“If you’re unable to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony, you can watch a live stream of the Remembrance Day service at Martin Place in Sydney from 10:30 am on 11 November,” Lachlan said.
“Or you can simply light a candle, recite The Ode and spend a minute in silent reflection.”
Remembrance doesn’t have to be abstract. There are many veterans who need a hand.
It might be something as simple as mowing their lawn, helping them do the grocery shopping, or just stopping by for a cuppa and a chat.
Reach out to your local sub-branch if you’d like to offer a hand to veterans in your area.
Sub-branches need a hand too.
“The pandemic has severely impacted our sub-branches’ ability to raise the funds they need to be able to support veterans in their local communities,” Lachlan said.
“If you can afford to donate even a small amount, it is much needed and greatly appreciated.
“When you donate to the Poppy Appeal, you can opt to dedicate a virtual poppy to a family member or friend – planting a Garden of Remembrance that will help us provide support and assistance to veterans all across Australia.”
He said no matter how you chose to commemorate Remembrance Day, “all we really ask is that you remember to remember”.
“Remember those who have given their lives in service to their country in wars and conflicts around the world.
“Remember those who have come home injured or ill, in body or spirit. And remember those who bravely serve our country today.”
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