RSL Australia Urges Australians to acknowledge Remembrance Day
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSLA) is calling on Australians to again pause this Friday, 11 November 2022, to remember and honour those who have sacrificed in serving our nation.
In a national message to mark Remembrance Day, RSL Australia President Greg Melick asked all Australians to unite and ‘remember to remember’ the service and sacrifice made by our veterans and currently serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) for over a centenary.
“Remembrance Day can be commemorated by attending a state or local service hosted by an RSL Branch or Sub-Branch, purchasing a poppy and wearing it with pride, but most importantly, wherever you may be at 11am on the 11th of Nov, to pause for one minute of silence to reflect and remember those who have bravely served our nation,” Greg Melick said.
“With conflict raging in Ukraine and elsewhere around the world, it was important to remember the contribution of our veterans and current ADF personnel to protect the liberty enjoyed by all Australians.
“The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month occupies a special place in Australia’s history as well as that of many nations globally.
“At 11 am on November 11, 1918, an armistice was formally declared. The guns of Europe fell silent and after four years of bitter fighting, the Great War was finally over. This day became known as Armistice Day and later renamed to Remembrance Day to honour the loss of lives from all wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations.
“After the Second World War, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars, conflicts and peace operations is commemorated on Remembrance Day.”
Greg Melick said this coming Remembrance Day, Friday 11th November 2022, a selection of landmark buildings will be lit up in red and some cities will observe a bugler horn sounding The Last Post on the streets. Many people will be wearing poppies on their breast.
In the lead up to Remembrance Day, poppies are available from RSL volunteers, selected Woolworths and Officeworks stores and online. Donations made to the Poppy Appeal goes towards tailored services to support the needs of current and former service men and women, and their families.
This year, RSL Australia has offered its support to Defence Families of Australia and Legacy, who have initiated a new campaign this year called ‘RememBEARance 2022’. This encourages families attending services to consider laying a small bear alongside their wreaths as a way of honouring the strength and sacrifices made by our Defence families. More information is available at: https://dfa.org.au/remembearance-2022/
“For more than a century, the RSL has served its members, our nation’s veterans and their families and strongly supported the defence and wellbeing of Australia,” Greg Melick said.
“So, it is appropriate and right that all Australians join on Remembrance Day to remember the deep commitment and personal cost of all those who served and particularly those killed or injured in protecting the freedoms enjoyed by all Australians. No matter how you choose to commemorate Remembrance Day, all we really ask is that you remember to remember,” he said.
“Lest we forget.”
All RSL Remembrance Day services will be in accordance with state government guidelines. For more information on Remembrance Day, ways you can commemorate and where to attend a service please refer to the resources provided:
REMEMBRANCE DAY RESOURCES
Remember to Remember: www.remembertoremember.com.au/
Services: www.rslaustralia.org/remembrance-day-services-2022
Poppy Appeal: www.poppyappeal.com.au
NATIONAL MEDIA CONTACT:
Tony Harrison | Ph: 0417 318 178 | Email: tony@wearebright.com.au
ABOUT REMEMBRANCE DAY
At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. With their armies retreating, German leaders signed an Armistice (suspension of fighting), bringing an end to World War I. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month became universally associated with the remembrance of those who died in this war. On the first anniversary of the armistice in 1919, two minutes' silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony in London. After the end of World War II, the Australian and British governments changed the name to Remembrance Day to better reflect an occasion commemorating all war dead. In 1997, Governor-General Sir William Deane issued a proclamation formally declaring 11 November Remembrance Day, urging all Australians to observe one minute's silence at 11am to remember those who died or suffered for Australia's cause in all wars and armed conflicts.
ABOUT RSL AUSTRALIA
RSL Australia is the nation’s largest Ex-Service Organisation representing more than 150,000 members. The League was founded in 1916 to ensure a unified approach to address the lack of organised repatriation facilities and medical services available to those returning from service in the Great War. This ethos of compassion and service remains today as the motivating influence of the League. The core mission has never changed and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of each generation of servicemen and women. The League provides a sounding board for the Government in the development of policy. It contributes to reasoned public debate, public education, and increased public awareness of issues relating to the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio.