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Reflecting on the past this Remembrance Day |
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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 15 November 2005 |
With the passing of Remembrance Day on November 11, many people across
the Hinterland will be reflecting on the events of two world wars and
other conflicts which have claimed the lives of almost 103,000
Australians since the mid 1800s.
| Michael treasures the medals left to him by
his father and grandfather. |
And at this emotional time Maleny's Michael Parkes has been kind enough to share his thoughts about his father and grandfather, who between them were awarded 10 medals for their service and bravery for Australia.
The medals earned by Jack and George Parkes include decorations for duties dating back to World War I, medals for service across the globe including Africa and Europe and also a gallantry award for participation at the Gallipoli landings.
"These medals mean a lot to me," Michael said. "And when I pin them to my chest on Remembrance Day I feel a special aura take over as I think back to the acts of my grandfather and father and the history they are part of." "For me the day is not just for us Australians, its about remembering all fallen soldiers from all countries ... let's face it, nobody wanted to take part in these conflicts or be a part of a war."
Remembrance Day honours the memory and sacrifice of those who died for their countries in conflicts including the two world wars and the Korean conflict. Australians' lives were also lost in Sudan in 1885, South African between 1899-1902, China in 1900/01, the Korean War 1950-53, the Malayan Emergency 1948/60, the Indonesian conflict 1962/66, the Vietnam War 1962/72 and most recently in the war against terror.
The day takes its roots from November 11, 1918, when German Government representatives accepted the armistice terms presented to them by allied commanders. With the armistice effective, the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium as four years of hostilities ended.
The cease-fire was made permanent the following year when members of the Commonwealth and the League of Nations signed the Treaty of Versailles. People across the world celebrated the war's end, with jubilance tempered by thoughts of the enormous suffering and loss of life resulting from the war.
In the allied countries November 11 became known as Armistice Day, a day to remember those who died in World War I. The day continues to be commemorated in the allied countries and after World War II the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom's proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both world wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 04 September 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
