Hawke Urges Hills Residents to Recommit To Remembrance Day
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP is urging all Hills residents to recommit to Remembrance Day. The Recommit campaign is a Coalition-initiated, bi-partisan campaign to encourage more Australians to observe the traditional one minute’s silence on Remembrance Day.
There has been some concern in recent years about the demise of the observation of a traditional one minute’s silence on Remembrance Day. Press coverage last year told of banks, universities, businesses, government departments and others not pausing for the traditional period of silence.
“One of the most important parts of being Australian is to honour the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country so that we may enjoy the freedom and way of life that we do today,” Mr Hawke said.
“That is why I am such a strong supporter of the Recommit campaign. It encourages all Australians to pause from their daily activities to reflect upon, remember and commemorate the service of all Australians who have been killed in wars in defence of Australian values.
“For those who want to get directly involved there are plenty of opportunities. Castle Hill RSL is having a service on Sunday the 6th to mark Remembrance Day as well as on the 11th.
“Whether you go to a service at an RSL club or not, pausing for a minute at 11am is an important gesture that I encourage everyone to make.”
Originally known as ‘Armistice Day’, Remembrance Day commemorates the dead and injured of all wars. In World War One more than 63,000 Australians were killed and more than 100,000 were wounded. Since Federation, more than 103,000 Australians have been killed in action during war service. Their names are recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial, which was also opened on Remembrance Day and this year turns 70.
“At the same moment in time, when the clock strikes 11am in Australia and across the world, people pause to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of the fallen. Observing Remembrance Day is both a powerful Australian tradition in its own right, but links Australia’s involvement in the defence of freedom with the struggle of others who fought along side us,” Mr Hawke concluded.