HUNDREDS of people from the South East community gathered at the Vansittart Park war memorial on Saturday to remember those who served our country – 99 years after the guns fell silent on the Western front.
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, an emotional Remembrance Day service was conducted, with the war memorial surrounded with the red poppies that grew on Flanders Field following the end of World War I.
Following a minute of silence to remember those who bravely fought for our freedom, World War II, Vietnam and a Koren War veterans, community leaders, school children and other members of the public laid wreaths at the steps of the memorial as a mark of respect.
Mount Gambier Community Returned and Services League president Bob Sandow said he was happy with the attendance by the South East community.
“It was hard to tell the numbers because people were under the trees, but it was probably the normal amount of people that attend the Remembrance Day service,” Mr Sandow said.
“I’m not sure you would say there were any more there because it was a Saturday.”
While the day marks the anniversary of the end of World War I, Mr Sandow said it was about remembering all those who served our country through the many different wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
“World War I was the war to end all wars, so they probably thought that was going to be the only one, but then on came World War II, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Korea and Afghanistan,” he said.
“So Remembrance Day is a day to remember all conflicts.”
Former Royal Australian Navy chief petty officer John Hopkins attended the service and said it gave him great pride to see how the community now embraces Remembrance Day.
“Ten to 20 years ago you would be lucky to get 25 people at the service, but now it is well supported with a lot of young people getting behind the day, which is just great for the country,” Mr Hopkins said.
“I go to a majority of the services when I am in Mount Gambier and I just have a great respect for all those old diggers and us young ones.”
On a day when people paid tribute to fallen and returning soldiers, there was also a strong focus on the thousands of animals that served the country.
“There is a whole movement now for a purple poppy for animals,” Mr Sandow said.
“Statistically the figures say there were between 139,000 and 169,000 horses that went to World War I, which is just amazing – I can’t imagine that many horses.”
Mount Gambier Mayor Andrew Lee gave his own heartfelt tribute during his address to the crowd at the service.
“The loss of life and injury from the World War I remains a staggering statistic and I wonder if there are really any unwounded soldiers,” Mr Lee said.
“I wasn’t born in Australia, however I am a proud Australian and I will always remember the sacrifice and service to the country given by the men and women of the Australian armed forces.”
With next year marking 100 years since the end of World War I, Mr Sandow expected momentum to build in the lead-up to the Remembrance Day service in 12 months time.
“I think the Federal Government will start focusing on the 100-year anniversary and what money they put forward to focus on will release money for us to do the same thing,” Mr Sandow said.
Mr Sandow said he already has his own hopes for the Mount Gambier service next year.
“A couple of years ago Colin Cameron, who recently passed away, gave me the service remembrance which they held here in Mount Gambier at the end of World War I,” he said.
“I am hoping we can approach one of the churches and repeat exactly word for word what happened 100 years ago.”
