Yass Remembrance Day 2022
Last Post & Reveille Bugler Edward Alley and Master of Ceremonies – Yass RSL Sub branch President Rev. Steve Neuhaus.
Yass RSL will hold a Remembrance Day Service at the Soldiers Memorial Hall on Saturday, 11 November. The ceremony will commence at 10:50am and it will be followed by a morning tea in the Hall’s Annex.
All members of the public are invited to attend and pay their respects on the morning.
Luke Hagerty, President of the Yass RSL Sub-Branch, explained to the Yass Valley Times what to expect on the day. “We’re having a small service there with a few prayers. Myself, and the Yass RSL Sub-Branch President, will be laying a wreathe in remembrance,” he said.
“We’re closing the road from Lead Street down to Rossi Street which has been cleared by Council. We’re only closing it from 10:45am to about 11:30am.
“We invite everyone to come down at 10:45am. We’ll have a minute’s silence at 11:00am followed by a live bugle which will signify our Remembrance Day services at that point in time.
We’ll follow up with a small morning tea after the service with tea and biscuits at about 11:15am. That will conclude the service.”
On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting coinciding with 11am 11 November 1918, when the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. It became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was renamed Remembrance Day after World War Two to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars.
Luke believes it’s important for all Australians to come together for the day.
“It reminds us of the sacrifices so many people made in war. Importantly, the significance of holding the service outside the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall goes back to the history Yass has.
“We do this to memorialise the soldiers from the town who gave their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s really important particularly in this time of modern day uncertainty with conflicts around the world.
“It’s just as important now as it was at the end of the First World War in 1918.” Luke said Yass has had good turn outs previously with around 500 people making it last year.
“It would be good to see us get together and getting a similar number again from the town.
What’s important to remember is you don’t have to be at the Cenotaph or outside the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall to memorialise.
“You can pause your work, have a think about the sacrifices people made in the past and the freedoms we enjoy today. If you’re unable to make it, you can still commemorate in your own special way.”
Gunning are having their Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph outside the Gunning Post Office from 10:40am. Bowning are also participating with a service at Bowning Hall from 10:30am. We will remember them.
