Remembrance Day was honoured in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale with a service conducted by the Serpentine Jarrahdale RSL Sub Branch at ANZAC Memorial Park.
Local veterans, service members and guests were greeted at the Byford memorial by Serpentine Jarrahdale RSL Sub Branch President Jan Honter, who opened proceedings with a commemorative address.
“We gather today on Remembrance Day, a day etched into the heart of our nation, to honour the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in defence of Australia’s values and freedoms,” he said.
“Today, we remember the courage of those who stormed beaches, endured long nights in trenches, and faced unimaginable hardships.
“We think of those who came home, carrying the physical and emotional scars of war. And we remember those who did not come home, those whose lives were cut short in the service of others.
“On this Remembrance Day, let us renew our commitment to peace, to compassion, and to unity. And let us pledge to never forget those who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom.”
Following the laying of wreaths, Navy veteran and Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones, also representing Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh, delivered the Ode of Remembrance.
On the eleventh hour, as the notes of The Last Post faded, those attending observed a minute of silent remembrance.
In his speech, Mr Honter reflected on the 25th anniversary of Australia’s largest peacekeeping mission, when thousands of Australian troops deployed as part of the International Force East Timor in September 1999.
The multinational force ensured the safe transition of East Timor to independence in 2002. More than 5500 Australian troops were initially deployed, making it one of the largest operations since the Vietnam War.
Six Australians tragically lost their lives while deployed, or as a result of their service.
“Remembrance is not just about looking back,” Mr Honter said.
“It is about looking forward, about ensuring that future generations never forget the lessons of the past.
“It is about fostering a world where peace prevails, where conflict is resolved without the need for war, and where the sacrifices of those who have gone before us continue to shape our national identity.”
