Wagga RSL sub-Branch will be leading Remembrance Day commemorations at the Victory Memorial Gardens on Monday (11 November). Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Wagga’s RSL sub-Branch leaders and veterans are encouraging the Riverina community to visit the Victory Memorial Gardens next Monday (11 November) to honour Remembrance Day.
Beginning at 10:30 am on 11 November, the service will feature a Catafalque Party and keynote speaker Major General Steven Jobson who previously served as commandant at Kapooka.
Member of the RSL sub-Branch and veteran Aaron Oldaker said Remembrance Day was an important day for veterans and the general public to honour those who had served in the Australian Defence Force.
“It’s a very important commemorative event marked throughout the Western world,” he said.
“It’s known as Remembrance Day here in Australia, Armistice Day in other parts of the world and Veterans Day in the United States. It started as a commemoration of the First World War in which 60,000 Australians were killed and over 20 million people were killed worldwide.
“Remembrance Day is a very significant day but also a very sad and poignant day. Whilst we use it as a day to remember, it’s sad that we live in a world where many of those lessons haven’t been learned.”
Mr Oldaker said as a veteran he felt fortunate to live in Wagga Wagga.
“Wagga really appreciates its veterans and I believe that is because of our strong military ties and obviously the two bases we have out here.
“I’d like to see as many veterans as possible turn out on Monday to commemorate, but more than that, I’d like to see as many members of the community turn out to support not just our local veterans, but to also reflect on the price of war and the terrible cost that it has had on humanity.”
Acting Wagga RSL sub-Branch president Wayne Lennon said Remembrance Day was one of importance and great significance that should continue forever.
“I think it’s something that the whole community can take part in from veterans right through to schoolchildren and the general public,” he said.
“I can guarantee any ADF member or anyone that served in the Australian forces has a bond with those people that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. And I think it’s important to keep that tradition going.
“Wagga RSL sub-Branch is the biggest branch in NSW; we have over 500 core members and this is one of the most important days of the year for each and every one of them. We would like to see as many people supporting them as possible.”
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