Last Sunday, November 11, a very good crowd turned out for Boorowa’s Remembrance Day celebrations. A very significant day, this being the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, as it was called. Major General Steve Meekin AM (Ret) gave the address encompassing comprehensively Australia’s involvement in that conflict.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Five plaques were unveiled recognizing individuals who had not previously been recognized on Boorowa’s War Memorial. Major General Meekin again spoke on the military history behind these plaques from the Boer War to Afghanistan, a very informative delivery.
It must be said, that the work done by the Returned Service people should be acknowledged. Restoring the clock with their chimes, preparing for this very important occasion, nothing comes easy, so all involved, take a bow.
A new face to many, Garry Sheppard, great job as MC. I feel we have not seen the last of Garry at these important commemorations.
WITS
Remembrance Day is commemorated on November 11 to mark the armistice signed, at Compiegne France, between the Allies of WW1 and Germany, signifying the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front in WW1. The signing took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.
The Armistice initially expired after a period of 36 days. A formal peace agreement was only reached when the Treaty of Versailles was signed the following year. This Treaty was the most important of the peace treaties, formally bringing an end to the state of war between the Allied Powers and Germany. It was signed June 28, 1919 in Versailles, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which directly led to WW1.
WITS
“The war to end all wars” … a hope, a dream, but as we know, peace has never really prevailed on this continually turbulent planet.
Many have expressed their desire for peace. Many songs have been sung opposing war or appealing for peace. I can imagine men sitting in a room in Versailles signing that treaty. Maybe Ed McCurdy had that image in his mind when he wrote the song “Strangest Dream”:
“Last night I had the strangest dream, I’d never dreamed before; I dreamed the World had all agreed to put an end to war. I dreamed I saw a mighty room, the room was full of men, and the paper they were signing said, they’d never fight again.”
WITS
Gunpowder does have virtues. An elderly, but hardy cattleman from Texas once told a young female neighbor that if she wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a pinch of gunpowder on her oatmeal each morning.
She did this religiously and lived to the ripe old age of 103, leaving behind 11 children, 30 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren … and a 40-foot hole where the crematorium used to be.
WITS
Politicians – here today, gone tomorrow. State Labor leader Luke Foley, forced to stand down over an alleged indiscretion with ABC reporter Ashleigh Raper.
On entering parliament, Luke Foley failed to declare two drink-driving convictions. His plotters were planning to use these as a tool to bring Foley down. He admitted to the offences and thwarted the plotters. This last accusation supplied the coup de grace … Foley gone.
WITS
Sometimes politicians do get it right. Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying Islamic extremism is the greatest threat to our very way of life … sadly one must agree.