As the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War
approaches, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin is
encouraging Australians to wear a red poppy, attend a local
Remembrance Day service and observe one minute's silence at
11am on 11 November. "11 November marks 90 years since
an armistice was signed to end the First World War. Each year
we commemorate this historic date as Remembrance Day,"
Mr Griffin said. "As time passes, we keep our promise
to remember and honour the sacrifice of more than 102,000
Australians who have died in wars and
conflicts. On 11 November there will be Remembrance Day Services
held around the country and I encourage people to attend,
or pause for silent reflection at 11am."
Remembrance Day will also be commemorated at many of the places
that Australian servicemen and women served overseas. Mr Griffin
will be representing Australia at the Remembrance Day commemoration
ceremony in Ypres, Belgium, an historic site of World War
l battles. Australians have served in many conflicts, including
the Boer War, First
and Second World Wars, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian
Confrontation and Vietnam War, and more recently in places
including Afghanistan and Iraq. The Australian Government
will hold a service at the Australian National Memorial in
Villers-Bretonneux, France, which honours 11,000 soldiers
who have no known grave.
Mr Griffin encourages all Australians to acknowledge one of
the most important commemorative dates in our country's history
and wear a red poppy in remembrance. "Wearing a red poppy
signifies our respect and shows we have not
forgotten those who gave their lives." In the lead-up
to 11 November each year, the Returned and Service League
sells red poppies for Australians to pin on their lapels,
with proceeds helping the organisation undertake welfare work.