South Australians will observe a minutes silence at 11am today in memory of all the men and women who died or suffered in Australia’s war-like and peace time missions to keep the nation safe and free.
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said today marks the 96th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War.
“Whether you’re at school, your workplace or at home – I encourage all South Australians to pause at 11am to commemorate the sacrifice made by so many Australians.
“The loss of our best and brightest young people from a small population of just 5 million was devastating for this nation.
“Just 100 years ago we raised an Army of more than 400,000 service people, 330,000 whom were deployed overseas. By the War’s end more than 60,000 Australians were killed, 5,565 of these were South Australian.
“One in five never came home – the modern equivalent of losing a quarter of a million in battle. Very few Australian families and communities were left untouched.
“During the Anzac Centenary period all Australians will reflect on the tragedy of war and the price we continue to pay. We will also think of the men and women who continue to serve out nation.
“I encourage South Australians to wear the symbol of Remembrance Day, the red poppy. Poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of the First World War.”
Mr Hamilton-Smith will commemorate Remembrance Day with the Mitcham RSL Sub-Branch at 10.45am at the Soldiers Memorial Gardens, Corner of Angas and Belair Roads, Hawthorn.
The Premier Jay Weatherill will attend the RSL SA Branch service at the South Australian National War Memorial on North Terrace.
A significant Remembrance Day Service will be held in the Australian Imperial Forces section of the West Terrace Cemetery. The Director of Veterans SA, Rob Manton and Chairman of the Veterans’ Advisory Council, the Hon Sir Eric Neal AC CVO will be in attendance.