Pause for a minute on Remembrance Day and pay tribute to the Australians who have lost their lives in the service of our country.
Date: 10 November 2009
Senator Trish Crossin is encouraging the local community to pay tribute to Australians who have lost their lives in the service of our country and to pause for one minute's silence on Remembrance Day.
Senator Crossin said this year is especially significant because it marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.
"In 2009 we lost our last living link to the First World War, John 'Jack' Ross, and the last Victoria Cross recipient of the Second World War, Edward 'Ted' Kenna. We also marked the 10th anniversary of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) operation - restoring peace for the people of East Timor," Senator Crossin said.
"I encourage all those in the Northern Territory to pause for one minute's silence at 11 am on 11 November to remember the more than 102,000 Australians who died serving our country in wars, conflicts and peace operations and the many more who have passed away since."
At 11am on 11 November 1918 fighting ceased on the Western Front ending four years of conflict. More than 61,000 Australians had lost their lives on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, in the Middle East, on the high seas and in the air.
"For 90 years Australians have paused for one minute at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to remember them and I encourage the people of the Northern Territory to continue the tradition ," Senator Crossin said.
Australians can also mark Remembrance Day by buying a red poppy from the RSL and wearing it on 11 November. Highly distinctive red poppies were among the first plants to appear in the devastated earth of Flanders Field, one of the battlefields of the Western Front. One of the most famous poems of the First World War was about the red poppies appearing in the battlefields, and is today still used in Remembrance Day ceremonies across the world. "In Flanders Fields" was written by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who wrote it after witnessing the death of his friend.
"It is important for another generation of Australians to learn the significance of Australia's wartime history and of the men and women who sacrificed so much in the past and continue to do so today in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan," Senator Crossin said.
"By wearing a red poppy on Remembrance Day and pausing for one minute's silence, you will ensure their contribution is never forgotten."
The Australian Government supports the observance of Remembrance Day and is committed to raising awareness of our wartime history through its commemorations program, Saluting Their Service.
For more information on Remembrance Day including planned services visit www.dva.gov.au.