Emma Pritchard

A small crowd of Clarence Valley residents gathered in Memorial Park, Grafton, last week, and stood together as one on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, in a show of respect, as they bowed their heads silently and remembered those who paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their today, so we could have our tomorrow, during the 2022 Remembrance Day service.

It was the 104th year since World War I (WWI), one of the bloodiest campaigns in history which raged between 1914 and 1918, officially ended when Germany signed the armistice, effectively ceasing a global conflict that left unprecedented death and devastation, and claimed the lives of more than 60000 Australians.

After reading the Prayer for Remembrance, the Prayer for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and the Prayer for Peace, President of the Grafton RSL Sub-Branch Leith Basset said Remembrance Day is an important time for everyone to come together, and remember and acknowledge the men and women who served and are serving their country today with the compassion and humanity of the Anzac spirit.

As the Australian flag flew at half-mast, dignitaries, respective parties, and members of the public proudly stepped forward and laid wreaths beneath the cenotaph, before The Ode, The Last Post and Rouse sounded across Memorial Park.

Lest we forget.