On Monday 11 November 2019, Australia will commemorate the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in the First World War.
Senator Sarah Henderson is encouraging the local community to participate in their local commemorative service on 11 November and observe a minute’s silence at 11:00am to remember the Australian service men and women who have suffered and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
“Every year at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we mark Remembrance Day because it was at this time and date in 1918 that the guns fell silent on the Western Front, officially ending the First World War,” Senator Henderson said.
“The war came at a great cost for Australia, with more than 60,000 service men and women never returning home, from the 416,000 who enlisted.
“This affected every community, large and small, across the country, in what was a very young nation at that time.”
“More than 102,000 names are today listed on the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour in Canberra to honour the lives lost at war and it is vital we continue to remember their service and sacrifice today,” Senator Henderson said.
“It is incredibly important to instil an ongoing sense of remembrance and respect in future generations of Australians so our current and former serving defence personnel and their families know their sacrifices are honoured, now and into the future.”
We remind all Australians, including our younger generations, to continue the Remembrance Day tradition and pay tribute to those who have proudly served our nation in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations by attending a local commemorative service and wearing a red poppy in honour of the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women.
Media contact: Kerry Ridgeway 0408 316 298
11 November 2019