Current Australian troops focus of speakers at Rememberance Day service in Quinns Rocks

TROOPS currently serving overseas were front of mind for speakers at the Remembrance Day service in Quinns Rocks on Tuesday.

Quinns Rocks RSL sub-branch hosted the November 11 event at Quinns Rocks Sports Club, with vice-president Peter Lofdahl speaking on behalf of president Nick Slater.

‘We honour the fallen not only in World War I but every other conflict since,’ Mr Lofdahl said.

He said the ‘war to end all wars’ had not succeeded, with Australia still sending troops to conflicts overseas, including Iraq and Syria. ‘What does concern the ex-servicemen is that our troops seem to go from one conflict to another with a short rest in between,’ he said.

Mr Lofdahl told those attending the service that the sub-branch was ready to help those returning from current conflicts.

‘We have the Northern Suburbs veterans Support Centre in Gumblossom Community Centre (Quinns Rocks),’ he said.

‘If you know of anyone please put them in contact with us; if we can’t help them, we can put them in touch with people who can.’

Naming several Victoria Cross recipients, Pastor Gunis Balodis said all Australian heroes deserved recognition and acknowledged those soldiers who fought for freedom but did not receive medals of valour.

‘Our soldiers are once again putting their lives on the line for our freedom and our way of life in Iraq,’ he said. ‘We could very easily lose that freedom which we have at the moment.’

Guest speaker Lord Charles Calverley said everyone had gathered to recognise those who had ‘made the ultimate sacrifice in both world wars and successive conflicts.’

Those who laid wreaths included Mr Lofdahl, Butler MLA John Quigley, Wanneroo councillor Russell Driver, Ray Butler for Quinns Rocks Sports Club and John Avery for Quinns Rocks Bowling Club.

Students from Peter Moyes Anglican Community School, Mindarie Senior College and Quinns Baptist College laid wreaths too before North Coastal Women’s Shed and members of the public added theirs to the line.

PMACS music director Justin Tonti performed Flowers of the Forest before musicians from the school and a visiting band from St Andrew’s School in Singapore led the national anthem.

A Singapore student performed The Last Post and the RAAF did a fly past during the service.