Veterans honoured on Remembrance Day

Thousands of people have gathered at Cenotaphs and memorials across Moreton Bay today to observe a minute’s silence to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Services were held across the region at Bribie Island, Caboolture, Dayboro, Deception Bay, Kallangur, Redcliffe, Samford and Woodford, with people coming to pay their respects to those who have fought in all wars and conflicts to keep our country safe.

Remembrance Day is held each year on November 11, with a minute’s silence observed at 11am. Today marks 105 years since the signing of the Armistice which ended the First World War (1914-1918).

At Anzac Place in Redcliffe, veterans and their families, along with RSL representatives, politicians, police, and general members of the public gathered in solidarity to remember the fallen and the brave men and women who are still serving in the Armed Forces today.

Members of the Redcliffe Coast Guard also attended today's service from their vessel in the water. 

Redcliffe RSL President Neville Cullen said it is important we as a nation continue the “timeless tradition of commemorating Remembrance Day”.

“This tradition was born from a significant milestone in military history in 1918, as it marks the exact day, month and time that the ceasefire was sounded and the guns of the Western Front fell silent,” Neville said.

“It commemorates the signing of the Armistice that took place in a railway carriage in France that ended the biggest epic of that time, the Great War.

“Today we assemble to remember all service men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in all the wars and conflicts that Australian’s have fought and died in.

“We remember those service men and women who served and returned from those wars and conflicts – many of them affected both physically and mentally by the consequences of that service.

“We also remember our allied service men and women who also served alongside Australians to deliver us the freedom we have.

“We must also remember and honour all civilians who perished because of the brutalities and destruction caused by wars and conflicts.

“I also ask that you remember our current service men and women in the Australian Defence Forces, some of whom who are serving overseas today. May God protect them and bring them home safely.”

To see more photos from the day, click through the gallery below.

Importance of the red poppy

During his speech, Neville also spoke about why the red poppy is an important symbol of Remembrance Day.

“Today we also wear red poppies and lay floral wreaths as a significant gesture of remembrance, to honour those service men and women,” Neville says.

“This is a symbolic deed that arose out of World War I in northern France where farms, towns and forests were destroyed and burnt by the bombing and artillery fire.

“The following rain left muddy watered crater holes all over the place that were often used by soldiers as makeshift graves.

“When spring arrived, it turned this war-torn environmentally damaged scene into a picturesque scene filled everywhere with blood red poppies."

The Ode

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Lest We Forget