Remembrance Day 2023: Townsville reflects on fallen soldiers
Townsville will pause and fall silent on the stroke of the eleventh hour today to remember and honour those who serve, have served and those who have fallen.
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Townsville will pause and fall silent on the stroke of the eleventh hour today to remember and honour those who serve, have served and those who have fallen.
Remembrance Day commemorates the end of ‘the war to end all wars’, the First World War at 11am on November 11, 1918. There will be a services at Anzac Park and Riverway.
For Townsville RSL sub branch president Wayne Preedy the day is a time to pause and reflect and remember the sacrifice of those who have fallen.
“It is an opportunity for our proud garrison city to pause and remember sacrifice of men and women who have served our country here from Townsville,” he said.
“An opportunity for members of the community and veterans to just reflect on those who have served and those who have passed in protecting our values and freedoms that we all get to enjoy today.
“For me, I think about mates who I have lost I think about my grandfather who served in WWII and I am very appreciative of the country we get to love in because of what those who went before us did.
“With the service being on a Saturday it is a great opportunity for the community members in our garrison city to come to either the service at Anzac Park or out at Riverway, put on by the council and the Thuringowa sub branch and pay their respects to the fallen.”
He said the Ode of Remembrance would be recited at Anzac Park by Major General Scott Winter, commander of the 1st Division.
“If they can’t get to a service it would be respectful that at 11am they would pause for one minute and think of those that have gone before us to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we get to enjoy today.”
Brigadier Dave McCammon. Commander of 3rd Brigade, said Remembrance Day was an important day for the city.
“The 3rd Brigade served with distinction in the First World War, and was the first brigade ashore at Gallipoli. It has continued to serve Australia for over 100 years,” the Brigadier said.
“Remembrance Day is an important day, particularly in Australia’s premiere garrison city, to recognise those who have served, their families and loved ones, to recognise sacrifice, to remember how lucky we are to live in such a great place, and for me to be thankful for the support we get day in day out from this great city.”
Veteran and 27th Light Horse Regiment Incorporated president Jason Mengel said Remembrance Day was a significant day for veterans.
“It is a day for a lot of us veterans to come together and remember the good times, the bad times and our mates,” he said.
“Since discharging a lot of us have gone our separate ways but days like Remembrance Day give us the opportunity to come back and just remember why we served.
“As we have closed off the Middle East chapter it is a great time to reflect on those who have not only fallen during the Middle East conflicts but also all wars from the Middle East back through to Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI and all those who have been lost through other conflicts.”
The service at Anzac Park starts today at 10.30am and at the Thuringowa Cenotaph at Riverway from 10.40am.
Originally published as Remembrance Day 2023: Townsville reflects on fallen soldiers
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