The sacrifice of those who gave their lives in all theatres of war was commemorated at the Gunnedah cenotaph on Remembrance Day – the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.
As the Last Post sounded, the crowd stood in silence, the flags were lowered and a minute of reflection brought back memories of more recent battles where lives were lost and changed forever for those who came home.
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey delivered the Remembrance Day address and laid wreaths with deputy mayor Rob Hooke on behalf of the people of Gunnedah.
RSL sub-Branch president John Commins laid a wreath for all veterans, with other wreaths laid on behalf of the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force, Vietnam veterans, National Servicemen, and the Salvation Army as well as other private wreaths.
Peter Hall from the Salvation Army offered prayers for peace with Sally Anne Hall delivering the benediction after the Rouse was sounded by bugler Lawrence Rowe.
The ceremony closed with the Australian flag at full mast and a stirring rendition of the national anthem by teenager Steven Hopwood.
Commemorating the end of the great war when the armistice was signed after more than four years of continuous warfare, Armistice Day attained a special significance after the war and it became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died. Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day after World War II to commemorate those who were killed in both wars. Lest We Forget.
