David Beacham.
Camera IconDavid Beacham. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt www.communitypix.com.au d475706

Beechboro Vet says Remembrance Day a chance to commemorate all ex-soldiers

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

AN EASTERN Regional RSL Sub-Branch member says Remembrance Day should commemorate all ex-soldiers for a “better future” ahead of the RSL’s annual event in Bassendean on November 11.

Beechboro resident and ex-infantry David Beacham (50) served Australia in Butterworth, Malaysia in 1986 for 91 days as part of the Rifle Company Butterworth, which protected the RAAF base.

Mr Beacham said it was important to understand everyone should be commemorated and remembered on this day, regardless of which war and role they served in.

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“Remembrance Day is purely set up to commemorate the end of the Great War (World War I) which was the war to end all wars and sadly it hasn’t happened,” he said.

“Today’s society should commemorate those who served in any war because every solider at some stage in their life signed a blank cheque to say they would defend their country.

“It is about everybody who sacrificed something to Queen and country.

“You don’t even have to remember military… you can go down there and remember something.

“We could use that commemoration to fix the future; there is no need to repeat past events.”

Mr Beacham said the RSL would provide coffee at 7am, followed by a motorbike ride around the Hills before returning to the Bassendean War Memorial for the service at 10.30am, which would be MC’d by club president Ashley Vince.

The club, located on Kenny Street, will be open to the public after the minute silence at 11am, where people could view memorabilia, speak to ex-soldiers and enjoy a sausage sizzle.

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