Posted on 11/11/2006 5:02:08 AM PST by naturalman1975
AT the national war memorial in Canberra, at Flemington racetrack and in cities across the country and around the world, Australians have paused to remember those killed in war.
A minute's silence was held in services throughout Australia at 11am to remember the sacrifice of those who died. The time marks the minute of the hour of the day the armistice to end World War I was signed.
Prime Minister John Howard, the Governor-General Michael Jeffery and Defence Minister Brendan Nelson attended a memorial service in Canberra, at which the names of two Australians killed in Iraq were unveiled on the War Memorial honour list.
Mr Howard and Gen Jeffery both laid wreaths, pausing briefly to reflect on the diggers' achievements, before the crowd observed a minute's silence.
Addressing the crowd, Dr Nelson urged Australians not to forget the diggers' sacrifices and the values for which they fought.
"No group of Australians has given more, nor worked harder, to shape and define our identity than those who wore, and wear today, the uniform of the Australian soldier, sailor, airman or woman," he said.
"We now face distant horizons and new, but no less ubiquitous or dangerous, threats to that for which our nation has stood in its short history.
"We need those qualities today more than we ever have."
Thousands of Australians have attended sombre ceremonies in capitals and towns around the country.
In Melbourne, buglers played the Last Post at 18 intersections throughout the city.
Trams stopped, radio broadcasters paused and the flow of champagne at the final race meet of the Melbourne Cup Carnival stopped momentarily as Victorians remembered those who had perished in war.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
On battlefields the cannons boom
And fitful flashes light the gloom
While up above, like eagles, fly
The fierce destroyers of the sky
With stains the earth wherein you lie
Is redder than the poppy bloom
On many a field
Sleep on, ye brave! The shrieking shell
The quaking trench, the startling yell
The fury of the battle hell
Shall wake you not, for all is well
Sleep peacefully, for all is well
Your flaming torch aloft we bear
With burning heart and oath we swear
To keep the faith, to fight it through
To crush the foe, or sleep with you
On many a field.
Eternal gratitude to our wonderful friends, the Australians.
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