Riverton RSL president Bill Collidge called on all serving members, past and present, and the public to get behind the club’s Remembrance Day commemorations to be held on November 11.
“Remembrance Day is a very important day in Australia’s military history as it formally acknowledges the end of WWI,” he said.
“At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the guns on the Western Front finally fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.
“One minute’s silence will be observed at 11am on November 11.”
Mr Collidge said following the armistice in WWI red poppies were the first to flower in the battlefields of northern France and Belgium.
“That is why the red poppies are such an important symbol of Remembrance Day,” he said.
“On November 11 our members will be manning stands at Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre and Southlands Shopping Centre to sell the red poppies to help raise funds.
“The Riverton RSL maintains a welfare fund for our veteran members and further assistance can be sought from the WA Aged Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Relief Trust Fund if necessary by RSL members and non-members alike.
“We use these funds to provide financial assistance to ex-servicemen and women, their widows and dependents in times of need or financial hardship.”
The Riverton RSL will also be holding its Remembrance Day dinner on November 5 from 7pm at 153 High Road, Willetton.
Mr Collidge said the dinner was an evening of mateship and commemoration as well as an opportunity to thank those who have served.
“We would love to see more members of the public joining our servicemen and women at the dinner,” he said.
Tickets are limited for the dinner.
Cost is $55 per person and includes a three-course meal and some wines.
Bookings can be made at the Riverton RSL on 9354 2197 or via email to ron.w.mitchell@bigpond.com.
