By PARKES RSL SUB BRANCH
Parkes Town Mayor Neil Westcott and the Parkes RSL Sub Branch President Keith Woodlands and returned servicemen will lead the Parkes RSL Sub Branch at this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations that will commence at 10.30am at the Cooke Park Cenotaph.
Parkes RSL Sub Branch Secretary Paul Thomas stated that all Parkes Schools will play an important part in the day with these schools reciting all of the town and district's fallen heroes as well as honouring our departed at the Last Post which significantly is sounded at precisely 11am.
The Parkes Holy Family Catholic School Choir once again will perform and amongst its recitals the school will lead the town in Australia’s National Anthem.
The First World War was in its time the most destructive conflict yet experienced by humanity.
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When it began in August, 1914, few imagined the course that it would take, or foresaw its terrible toll.
From a population of just under five million, more than 400,000 Australians enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force – the AIF, the force that Australia sent to the war – and more than 330,000 served overseas.
For most this meant Gallipoli, the Middle East or the wars main theatre: the Western Front in France and Belgium.
More than 60,000 Australians lost their lives, a devasting toll for a small country. Yet they were a relative few. Around the world some 10 million military personnel died in what was then called the Great War.
Mr Thomas also stated that whilst Australia’s population now refer to the day as Remembrance Day it was originally referred to as Armistice Day which celebrated the end of World War 1 on the 11th November, 1918 with the Armistice being signed at 11am.
However, due to Australia’s involvement in several other conflicts over the past 100 years it is now more commonly referred to as Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day is a day when all Australian citizens can celebrate our freedom and people are encouraged to join.
Monday's Remembrance Day commemorations are also being supported by the Parkes Shire Council.
