Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2012 19:35:06 GMT 10
Sydney remembers nation's fallen soldiers
Published: November 11, 2012 - 1:47PM
About a thousand people have gathered at the Cenotaph in Sydney's Martin Place to remember the nation's fallen soldiers, 94 years after the end of World War I.
A minute's silence was observed at 11am on Sunday following the playing of the Last Post by an army bugler and the laying of wreathes.
Official guests included NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, state opposition leader John Robertson, NSW Governor Marie Bashir, federal senator Matt Thistlethwaite representing Prime Minister Julia Gillard and federal opposition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull.
Also present was Australian Defence Force Corporal Daniel Keighran, who was this month awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during a firefight in Afghanistan in 2010.
Many in the crowd, including ex-servicemen, tourists and passers-by, wore poppies as a mark of respect.
The ceremony was punctuated by a vice regal salute by the Royal Australian Navy band, an affirmation of the Ode of Remembrance and the singing of the hymn, I Vow to Thee, My Country, by the crowd.
Master of ceremonies John Gatfield paid tribute to the men and women who have died in battle.
"Remembrance Day is to remember the sacrifice of those who died or those who suffered in Australia's cause in all wars and in other conflicts," he said.
Former ADF chief General Peter Cosgrove said Remembrance Day was not about glorifying or eulogising war, but honouring the sacrifices of those who have served the nation in wartime.
"We utter that perpetual phrase, Lest We Forget, for so many reasons," he said.
"We wish not to forget the price of war, Lest We Forget."
In Canberra, defence force chief General David Hurley said Remembrance Day commemorations were very much about the here and now.
Delivering the commemorative address at the national memorial ceremony, General Hurley said current defence personnel understood the sacrifice of those who went before them.
He thanked the families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan for their sacrifices.
''You remind us that today's ceremony is not only about generations past but about our generation, our times and our today,'' he told the crowd of several thousand gathered at the Australian War Memorial.
''The brass plaques inside the memorial may dull, but we know that your memories do not.''
Nine soldiers killed in Afghanistan since October 2011 were added to the roll of honour: Captain Bryce Duffy, Corporal Ashley Birt, Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, Sergeant Blaine Diddams, Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, Private Robert Poate, Sapper James Martin, Private Nathyanael Galagher, and Lance Corporal Marvyn McDonald.
''These men conducted themselves professionally, performed demanding and testing jobs well and represented Australia with pride,'' General Hurley said.
''They have earned their place among their forebears in the roll of honour.''
The men's families were at the ceremony and were among the first to see the new plaque on the roll of honour.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Prime Minister Julia Gillard laid wreaths on the Stone of Remembrance and in the Hall of Memory.
Wreaths were also laid by the ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, Speaker Anna Burke, coalition defence spokesman David Johnston, High Court Chief Justice Robert French, defence force leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Later, 102 school children from across Australia placed poppies by the stone to represent the 102,000 Australian servicemen and women who had fallen in war.
AAP
This story was found at: www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-remembers-nations-fallen-soldiers-20121111-295z1.html
Thank you Aussie soldiers
Published: November 11, 2012 - 1:47PM
About a thousand people have gathered at the Cenotaph in Sydney's Martin Place to remember the nation's fallen soldiers, 94 years after the end of World War I.
A minute's silence was observed at 11am on Sunday following the playing of the Last Post by an army bugler and the laying of wreathes.
Official guests included NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, state opposition leader John Robertson, NSW Governor Marie Bashir, federal senator Matt Thistlethwaite representing Prime Minister Julia Gillard and federal opposition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull.
Also present was Australian Defence Force Corporal Daniel Keighran, who was this month awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during a firefight in Afghanistan in 2010.
Many in the crowd, including ex-servicemen, tourists and passers-by, wore poppies as a mark of respect.
The ceremony was punctuated by a vice regal salute by the Royal Australian Navy band, an affirmation of the Ode of Remembrance and the singing of the hymn, I Vow to Thee, My Country, by the crowd.
Master of ceremonies John Gatfield paid tribute to the men and women who have died in battle.
"Remembrance Day is to remember the sacrifice of those who died or those who suffered in Australia's cause in all wars and in other conflicts," he said.
Former ADF chief General Peter Cosgrove said Remembrance Day was not about glorifying or eulogising war, but honouring the sacrifices of those who have served the nation in wartime.
"We utter that perpetual phrase, Lest We Forget, for so many reasons," he said.
"We wish not to forget the price of war, Lest We Forget."
In Canberra, defence force chief General David Hurley said Remembrance Day commemorations were very much about the here and now.
Delivering the commemorative address at the national memorial ceremony, General Hurley said current defence personnel understood the sacrifice of those who went before them.
He thanked the families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan for their sacrifices.
''You remind us that today's ceremony is not only about generations past but about our generation, our times and our today,'' he told the crowd of several thousand gathered at the Australian War Memorial.
''The brass plaques inside the memorial may dull, but we know that your memories do not.''
Nine soldiers killed in Afghanistan since October 2011 were added to the roll of honour: Captain Bryce Duffy, Corporal Ashley Birt, Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, Sergeant Blaine Diddams, Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, Private Robert Poate, Sapper James Martin, Private Nathyanael Galagher, and Lance Corporal Marvyn McDonald.
''These men conducted themselves professionally, performed demanding and testing jobs well and represented Australia with pride,'' General Hurley said.
''They have earned their place among their forebears in the roll of honour.''
The men's families were at the ceremony and were among the first to see the new plaque on the roll of honour.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Prime Minister Julia Gillard laid wreaths on the Stone of Remembrance and in the Hall of Memory.
Wreaths were also laid by the ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, Speaker Anna Burke, coalition defence spokesman David Johnston, High Court Chief Justice Robert French, defence force leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Later, 102 school children from across Australia placed poppies by the stone to represent the 102,000 Australian servicemen and women who had fallen in war.
AAP
This story was found at: www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-remembers-nations-fallen-soldiers-20121111-295z1.html
Thank you Aussie soldiers
