How to commemorate Anzac Day at home

RSL NSW acting president of Ray James tells how you can pay your respects to our military veterans.

Lest we forget.

Ray James, veteran, 46 years of service, acting president of RSL NSW

If you, like thousands of other Australians, are going to light a candle and make your way out on to your driveway or balcony to pay your respects this Anzac Day, you could dress as though you are going to a typical service. That said, it’s also fine if you come out with your children in your pyjamas. This year we can’t come together at a dawn service, or share a beer at our local — which is very sad for our mates who may not be here next year — but we can still pay our respects to the Anzacs, and indeed all our servicemen and women. For a sense of community, you can go outside at 6am and participate along with thousands of other Australians (maintaining distance, of course). For atmosphere you can tune in on your smartphone to a pre-recorded service. There are six parts to the service. First, an acknowledgement of country. Then someone will recite The Ode.

Ray James of the RSL NSW.

Next, there is a performance of The Last Post; how wonderful if there is a bugle player in your neighbourhood, otherwise the recorded service will capture this too. Then we all pause for one minute of silence. During this time I think about my dad, who served in the Kokoda campaign and at the landing at Balikpapan, before going to Kure, Japan. I also think about my younger brother who served with me in Vietnam and passed away in 2014. And the guys who I served with in the Navy; I think about all of them, too. All of these people made a sacrifice for you. The playing of The Reveille breaks the silence. This will then be followed by the national anthem. There’s not one person in Australia who doesn’t have a connection via a relative or a friend — or the person on the balcony next door — to someone who has served. Together, we will remember them. Lest We Forget.

Ray James, a veteran of 46 years’ military service, is acting president of RSL NSW.