Hundreds of Penrith residents are expected to gather together next week to pay their respects to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Remembrance Day is commemorated on Monday, November 11, when a series of services are being held to commemorate and reflect on the stories of the soldiers who have lost their lives in service.
It is tradition that on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the nation will stand still and observe a minute’s silence to remember the sacrifice those before us have given.
In Penrith, a series of events will be held to allow the community to pay their respects.
St Marys RSL sub-Branch will be holding a service on Monday, November 11 at 11am at their RSL Guns War Memorial. All in the community are invited to attend and participate in the commemoration, with those attending encouraged the wear their medals.
Penrith RSL and sub-Branch will be holding a service to commemorate Remembrance Day at Memory Park in Penrith on Monday, November 11 from 10.30am (arrival by 10.15am) where all are welcome to join.
The NSW Remembrance Day service will take place at the Cenotaph in Martin Place Sydney starting at 10.30am on Monday, November 11. Those who can’t attend a service in person are able to watch a livestream of the Australian War Memorial’s National Commemorative Service, which will begin at 10.40am on ABC iView.
The Sydney Opera House’s sails will be illuminated with red poppies on Remembrance Day at dawn and dusk to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans.
Other ways to commemorate the day are to wear a red poppy or a piece of rosemary as both are symbols of respect.
Monday is the day of reflection as it was on November 11, 1918 that the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.
German forces called for the suspension of fighting in order to enter into a peace settlement, later they accepted the terms of an unconditional surrender which ended the First World War.
In the First World War alone over 400,000 soldiers were enlisted in the war efforts of which over 60,000 were killed.
In all conflicts a total of 103,044 Australian soldiers have lost their lives in service of their country.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.