On Friday 11 November at 11am, the seat of small communities will observe a minute of silence to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging the community to take time to pause, reflect and pay tribute to our servicemen and women this Remembrance Day.
“We come together in honour of our Australian servicemen and women, to remember those who have died, and to thank and to cherish them in our collective memories,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is important that we remember, pay our respects and reflect on the events which have shaped our nation.
“Many of us share a personal connection with those who have served, either as current or former serving Defence personnel, or as their relatives and friends – all hold a special place in our hearts.”
Each year at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we think about the guns falling silent on the Western Front after four years of continuous warfare.
Remembrance Day continues to hold special significance for communities since the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918.
Of the 416,809 who served in the First World War, more than 60,000 Australian soldiers died, with more than 150,000 wounded or taken prisoner, and 23,000 missing.
In the Second World War, almost one million Australians served, of which 39,000 Australian soldiers died, and more than 30,000 were taken prisoner.
As a mark of respect, we observe one minute of silence for those who sacrificed their lives in these conflicts, and in conflicts and peacekeeping missions since, including those who have returned home bearing scars that would never heal.
Ms Cooke will be joining the Cootamundra RSL Sub-branch for their Remembrance Day service, to be held at the Cootamundra Cenotaph, Albert Park.
