By ANEEKA SIMONIS
BRAVE men and women who died at war for the country were honoured across the district yesterday as part of the town’s Remembrance Day service.
Around 350 people reflected on the sacrifices made by fallen soldiers at the Tuesday 11 November events at Pakenham and Kooweerup, including local students and community groups who each laid wreaths at the foot of the town cenotaph.
Remembrance Day is held on the anniversary of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when peace was declared on the Western Front of World War I.
At Pakenham, RSL president Gary Elliott said he thought that the upcoming Anzac Day centenary would help boost interest in the Remembrance Day commeration of our war dead.
“While it’s not the centenary for Remembrance Day, it is a day of memorial for all who have served,” he said.
At Kooweerup, attendees who each donned a red poppy on their chest, joined together to sing the national anthem which echoed across the still and silent town.
The minute’s silence that preceded it was just as moving.
Five local students who had highlighted a sense of mateship, courage, endurance and sacrifice were also honoured with the Remembrance Day Award which was presented before the Australian Navy Cadets closed the service.
