Lest we forget

There was not a sound to be heard in front of the Shire of Roebourne’s administration offices at 11am on Friday as the community gathered to pay their respects to Australia’s fallen soldiers.

Remembrance Day, which falls on November 11 each year, recognises all who died or suffered in wars and conflicts, past and present.

Wreaths were laid by a number of organisations including the Pilbara Regiment and Karratha police, as well as students from many of the schools in the shire.

Pilbara Regiment chaplain Ivan Grant said it was a very important day to commemorate fallen soldiers.

Chaplain Grant has served in Iraq and with troops deployed overseas.

“I know for them (soldiers) and for the community it is vitally important that we remember what they do and the sacrifices they make on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

“More and more kids are getting more involved and I think that they are starting to see that it is an important part of not just showing respect but of who we are as Australians, that we remember those that have gone before and remember what they have done.”

More than 100 people gathered together for the ceremony, with many wearing red poppies to represent Flander’s poppies, which were among the first to flower on the devastated battlefields of WWI.

Karratha and Districts RSL vice president Robert Trieb said a lot of money was raised for Legacy by selling poppies.

“We do remember all year round but particularly on Remembrance Day we remember our fallen comrades,” he said.

He said it was wonderful to see so many young people turning up to the ceremony.

Shire president Fiona White-Hartig said the day meant a lot to her because she had family who fought in WWI.

She said it was important to honour those who had died to keep our country safe and free.