THIS year marks the 98th year of the November 11 armistice, ending World War I that killed more than 60,000 Australians, and wounded, gassed or imprisoned a further 156,000.
To mark the day the Riverton RSL is among those to pay homage to the fallen and those who return and club president Bill Collidge has put the call out to serving members past and present and the public to get behind the Remembrance Day commemorations on Friday.
“Remembrance Day is a very important day in Australia’s military history as it formally acknowledges the end of World War I. 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’ continuous warfare,” said Mr Collidge.
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READ NOW“Today, Remembrance Day is a significant day of commemoration. It is held to honour all those who served, died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts.
“One minute’s silence will be observed at 11am on Friday 11 November and I urge everyone in our community to pause then and remember those who served us so well.”
Following the armistice in WWI, red poppies were the first to flower in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium.
“That is why the red poppies are such an important symbol of Remembrance Day today. They are a key token that signifies that we will remember those who have fallen,” he said.
On Friday 11 November, Riverton RSL members will be operating stands at Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre and Southlands Shopping Centre to sell the red poppies to help raise funds to meet the welfare needs of veterans.
“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,” Mr Collidge said.
“We use these funds to provide financial assistance to ex-servicemen and women, their widows and dependents in times of need or financial hardship.”
“This is a deserving charity and I encourage everyone to make a donation to purchase a red poppy to help us provide these much-needed services.”