THERE’S been a changing of the guard at the Wonthaggi RSL Sub-branch with Dan Lucas thrust into the front line as president and he’ll take the lead at the traditional Remembrance Day service at the Wonthaggi Cenotaph next Thursday, November 11.
The program is already out for the event, starting at 10.45am so that some of the preliminaries can be dealt with before the ‘Minutes’ Silence’ precisely at 11am.
Karen Veal will be the MC, getting proceedings underway with a welcome to the community and ex-service personnel and a acknowledgement of country.
The youth of the town will have a role in the early part of the ceremony, reading out the famous John McCrae poem, ‘In Flanders Field’, and ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’.
Dan Lucas will then ask community groups and individuals to lay their wreaths.
Local Anglican Minister, Graham Leirsch, will lead the Lord’s Prayer and give the Benediction later in the service.
“It’s so important that we continue to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our ex-service personnel and also those who stand ready today, not only those who served in World War 1 and 2, with only very few of the World War 2 veterans left now, but also those who served in the other fields of war and peacekeeping as well, anyone who pulled on the Australian uniform,” said Mr Lucas this week.
The trouble in Europe and pressures in our own region have underscored the importance of a well-equipped defence force and much more interest and effort has been going in over recent years.
And there’s still the welfare work that needs to be done, supporting veterans and their families.
For more than 100 years, one of the best ways to support that effort is by supporting the annual Poppy Appeal, and this week, Dan Lucas and a team of volunteers right across the nation have been doing just that.
“You donation can help the RSL to continue to deliver life-changing support for our veterans when they need it most. So, please show your support for our veteran community by buying a poppy or badge or simply donating to the appeal as many did at the Poppy stand at Wonthaggi Bunnings store during the week.
You can also donate online at https://poppyappeal.com.au/
