THE supreme sacrifices made by our soldiers more than a century ago and those who have died in later conflicts were ever present in the hearts and minds of district citizens of all ages yesterday.
The younger generation is taking up the leadership on days of commemoration like Remembrance Day to ensure that we never forget the exploits of brave men and women who stood against the might of an oppressor in far distant lands.
There was a strong representation of children for the service at the Cenotaph in Kerang and community support was replicated at Cohuna and other centres around the region.
The Cenotaph commemoration included a wreath-laying ceremony, a poem recited by teenager Jacob Gordon and In Flanders Fields read by Kerang South Primary School captains Nikita Robinson and Sam Whinfield.
Returned and Services League sub-branch president Robert Hampton said Australia had a population of less than five million when war erupted in 1914.
Over four years, 430,000 Australians enlisted for service, around 60,000 were killed and more than 156,000 wounded.
“Today we reflect on the supreme sacrifices and give thanks for the relative peace we have today,” he said.
“Remembrance day is a memorial day observed in many countries since the end of World War One. To remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
“We meet here not to glorify war or praise victors, but to remember those who have served our country during times of conflict and crisis.”
In Friday’s edition of the Gannawarra Times, the opening of the Veteran’s Assistance Centre at the Kerang RSL sub-branch.
