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It’s important to remember those who paid ultimate sacrifice

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Pelican Flat RSL Sub-Branch president David Blair was beaming with pride on Thursday.

Not so much about the occasion, Remembrance Day is always a solemn time for his members, but more to do with the response to the 2021 service, which marked the 103rd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice between Allied forces and Germany in 1918, signalling an end to the First World War.

In excess of 100 people attended the organisation’s moving ceremony at Memorial Park on 11 November – a far cry from the customary 30 or 40 who make their way to the annual Lake Macquarie ritual.

“To have such a big crowd here [today] is fantastic,” the Warrant Officer Retired with the Australian Army said.

“We look forward to Remembrance Day every year.

“And, usually, we get a few dozen attend the ceremony or sit down and watch the service.

“But, this time around, we’re really surpassing our figures.

“I believe that’s because we put a lot of information out there about the service itself.

“So, I think it’s the knowledge that it’s here – and they want to be a part of it.

Pelican Flat RSL Sub-Branch president David Blair with his brothers Tony and Peter, who boast a combined 92 years of service. Photo: Peter Stoop

“I’m just hopeful all residents and pupils will be able to participate next year.

“Unfortunately, sixth class students from Blacksmiths Public, Marks Point Public and Pelican Flat Public could not take part, due to COVID-19 restrictions still in place for schools.

“We enjoy a close working relationship with the local educational facilities.

“Remembrance Day provides an excellent platform to instil in our young people an understanding of the ramifications of war.

“It gives them a reason to work towards a more peaceful world.

“However, I’m glad the pandemic hasn’t impacted [today] too much.

“It’s good we’re opening up a little bit.”

Mr Blair, who was joined by his brothers Tony and Peter at today’s function – a combined 92 years of service, said Remembrance Day meant a lot to the local ex-servicemen and women.

“It has extra significance for all of us at Pelican Flat because we had a member who fought in World War I,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“Sadly, he’s no longer with us.

“So, we look back at all the old soldiers from that time – and contemplate the sacrifices they made.

“They gave their lives for our country.

“To ensure everyone’s freedom.

“We reflect on our mates, our fathers, our brothers.

“That’s what it is all about – remembering the people who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Mr Blair and fellow Pelican Flat RSL Sub-Branch member Colin Spitzkowsky, Group Captain Retired, also planted a Lone Pine during the service.

“It acts as a memorial to our Australian and New Zealand soldiers – and represents the bond between the two countries, while being a symbol of friendship among Australians, New Zealanders and the Turkish,” he said.

“The Lone Pine was a solitary tree on the Gallipoli Peninsula, which marked the site of the Battle of Lone Pine.

“After the capture of the Lone Pine Ridge on 6 August 1915, an Australian soldier who had taken part in the attack, in which his brother was killed, found a cone from the Lone Pine and sent it back to his mother.

“From a seedling, she raised a tree, which she presented for planting in the Australian War Memorial grounds of 24 October 1934 in honour of her son and the sons of others, who fell at Lone Pine.

“Since the late 1940s, the Australian War Memorial has propagated many seedlings from their Lone Pine tree to continue the memory of our heroes and their legacy.

“We felt it was appropriate to do something similar here.”

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