Albany remembers fallen
Albany residents stood together for a poignant minute’s silence at the war memorial on Sunday, honouring those who have given their lives in war for Australia.
About 200 people attended the 94th Returned Services League Albany Sub-branch Remembrance Day Memorial Service.
RSL Albany Sub-branch president Peter Aspinall gave an opening address to the crowd, which included visitors from cruise ship Volendam.
Mr Aspinall, a Vietnam veteran, said Remembrance Day was “not to glorify war but to remember and honour those who fought”.
Albany resident Harry Smith attended the memorial, proudly displaying service medals from his time in the Australian Army from 1962 to 1982. Mr Smith fought in Vietnam and Malaysia and said it was important to observe the day.
“To remember all the people who we left behind,” he said.
Albany Air Force Cadets 705 Squadron provided a catafalque party, and a prayer and benediction were given by St John’s Anglican Church’s Father Edward Argyle.
The ode was given by RSL sub-branch member Phil Maguire and the Last Post, Rouse, hymns Lest We Forget and How Great Thou Art were performed by members from the City of Albany Band. Wreaths were laid by special guests including Naval Association’s Graham Bott, War Widows Guild Albany’s Ivy Wolfe, City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington, Albany MP Peter Watson and Great Southern District Superintendent Cath Bullen.
