Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.
The armistice or treaty was signed is observed on November 11, with hostilities formally ending at “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918.
Ms Finn’s father served in the Second World War with the Royal Australian Air Force in Borneo, New Guinea and Darwin as a fitter.
“He certainly loved getting together with them on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day,” she said
“He was proud of his service, and proud that fascism was defeated, but he always told me that war isn’t glorious, it’s a terrible way to resolve anything, causing great suffering on all sides.”
She said we still had a lot to learn about supporting veterans when they returned home from conflict.
“Remembrance Day this year gives us pause to remember our own unique history and encourages each and every one of us to find out more about this defining period in the history of our area, our nation and our world,” she said.
“Lest we forget.”
Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake is encouraging everyone to attend a service this Saturday if you can.
“If you can’t, then wear a poppy and observe a minute’s silence,” she said.
“This year, the RSL is asking all of us to ‘Remember to Remember’.
“As a mum, Remembrance Day reminds me to stop for a while and consider the grief and pain felt by those families who have lost their loved ones through war.
“This day is a sober reminder that we must always look for non-violent ways to solve our problems.”
State MP for Auburn, Lynda Voltz, said Remembrance Day is an important day to remember how service personnel lost their lives in service to our country, and has invited residents to join her a wreath laying ceremony at the Sydney Cenotaph at 10.30am.
Remembrance Day services taking place this Saturday include:
• Merrylands RSL Sub Branch will host a service at Merrylands Memorial Park in Teves Street, Merrylands, from 10.15am, also featuring the reading of The Ode and wreath-laying before heading to Merrylands RSL for a light lunch. All welcome.
• Cumberland Sub Branch held a service at the war graves in Rookwood Cemetery on Sunday and this Friday will drop off wreaths and conduct short ceremonies at Auburn Hospital Memorial, Auburn Memorial Park and Lidcombe War Memorial in Remembrance Park as well as memorials in Homebush and Strathfield. There are no plans for a public service on Friday or Saturday.
• Lidcombe RSL Sub Branch members will attend a service at the cenotaph in Sydney, with no local service this year.
MP follows family tradition
THE daughter of a former serviceman, State MP for Granville, Julia Finn knows first-hand how much her father valued taking part in both ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorations – and it’s a tradition she has continued.
