ANZAC Day 2020: RSL QLD wants driveway commemorations from home to honour soldiers
With traditional parades and commemorations cancelled due to the coronavirus, RSL Queensland is asking Australians to stand at the end of their driveway, on their balcony or in their living room to remember all those who have served and sacrificed.
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LINTON Hartley will be honouring his ancestors who fought for his freedom by lighting a candle at the end his driveway at dawn on ANZAC Day.
With traditional parades and commemorations cancelled due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus, RSL Queensland is asking Australians to stand at the end of their driveway, on their balcony or in their living room to remember all those who have served and sacrificed.
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This April 25, the 10-year-old Broadbeach Waters local will be making traditional Anzac biscuits, wearing poppy on his shirt and lighting a candle for the troops.
“A lot of men and women lost their lives and a lot of families had members fighting in the war,” he said.
“All of our service men and women obviously did great things and that is why they are honoured for saving our country.”
His mother Naomi Mole, 34, from Broadbeach Waters said her family usually attended one of the Anzac Day services on the Gold Coast or in Tweed Heads, and spent the day visiting with family.
“My paternal grandfather was an ambulance driver in WWII in Lae and would collect wounded men off the battle field and take them to the field hospitals,” she said.
“His medals are a prized possession of the family with immense sentimental value.
“We have family, friends and colleagues who have served in the military and some that are still in service including as navy divers, heavy machine drivers and in the SAS.”
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She said it did not matter were the family was on the day, they could still reflect from home.
“It is important that we remember and respect what the day is for,” she said.
“Showing respect for our service men and women does not require a large party or a BBQ at the beach.
“If you are upset about that then you have missed the whole point of the day.
“It is about taking time out to reflect on their sacrifices and if we need to do that in private isolation then so be it.
“They did not sacrifice their lives for public glory, a party or a parade.”
She said she would be watching the service on television in lieu of attending a service in person, and keeping connected with our family members via video chat.
“It is our responsibility, especially now under these circumstances, to talk to our children and educate them of what true sacrifice and difficulty is,” she said.
The RSL Queensland will live stream a short commemorative service with The Ode, The Last Post, a minute’s silence, and Reveille.
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President, Michael Humphreys from Currumbin RSL said the iconic Dawn Service at Elephant Rock would be replaced with prerecorded midmorning service at 11am through the club’s social channels.
There will also be the bagpipe lament and the Last Post performed in line with formal commemoration procedures.
You can register online for the driveway service to show your support at https://rslqld.org/News/Latest-News/Light-up-the-dawn
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