By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE Narre Warren North community gathered on Wednesday to remember those who gave their lives in two world wars, and too many since.
At 11am on Wednesday, residents, councillors, police officers and local MPs stood at the edge of Ackland Park and paid their respects to the fallen to mark this year’s Remembrance Day.
Organised by the Narre Warren North Community Association, the ceremony saw the unveiling of a new plaque honouring “all who have served from this community and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
A bugler played the Last Post followed by a minute’s silence.
“We remember the ultimate sacrifice made by over 100,000 people who have given their lives in two world wars and in too many since, to protect the democracy and freedom we enjoy every day,” Casey Mayor Sam Aziz said at the ceremony.
“Today’s ceremony and the many more that will follow give us all a chance to express our deep gratitude to the men and women who almost 100 years ago marched to battle against a formidable enemy.”
MC Steven Archibald, a current serving member of the Defence Force and a Narre Warren North local, said Remembrance Day held a special significance for him.
“Remembrance Day for me is the end of a terrible war; it was a war unlike anyone had ever seen. It was a modern war … an industrialised war … ” he said.
“ … to me it’s a time to remember our fallen and to hope that something like that never happens again.”
Senior Sergeant Phil Byrne, from Endeavour Hills police station, was also there to pay his respects.
Sen Sgt Byrne served in East Timor as a policeman in 1999/2000.
“It’s a historic occasion and pretty important for all of us to show our respects,” he said of Remembrance Day.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan attended and said the morning was an opportunity to commemorate and remember “all Australians of all faiths, ethnicity and gender who have given their lives to this nation and their country’s sovereignty.”
“Today, as a community we gather, not to glorify war, but to commemorate, to remember, to honour,” he said.
“In our busy lives we must pause and appreciate life and remember those who willingly laid down their lives for our nation, its people and its values.
“Remembrance Day should also serve as a reminder to us of our current brave women and men, currently serving in our defence forces on peacekeeping duties worldwide, disaster zones and trouble spots at home and abroad.”
Bert Rae, a member of the Narre Warren North Community Association, was also at Wednesday’s service.
Bert has lived in the suburb for 75 years and his father and uncle served in WWI.
