Words: LARA HART

Photos: LYLE RADFORD

AT THE 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month annually, communities across Australia gather to commemorate the Fallen and Rosewood is one of those communities.

The service is held at Rosewood’s War Memorial in Anzac Park.

At the conclusion of the service on Tuesday, Rosewood RSL Sub Branch members offered everyone a free light lunch set out on tables inside the Memorial Hall.

Sub Branch secretary, Carmel Luetchford said around 90 people were at the service and at least 60 stayed to enjoy the lunch.

She said veterans and their families savoured moments like these because they were able to talk to people with similar experiences and this led to a quiet understanding.

“Things went as expected and it was a really beautiful service that was well received within the community,” she said.

“There were some new people there and it was lovely to see our RSL members making the new people feel welcome and chatting with them.

“People are becoming more aware of what the day is all about and that’s remembering not only soldiers from the First World War, but all conflicts through the years to current ones today.”

Importantly, the day is about saying thank you by commemorating and remembering what’s happened and the sacrifices that have been made.

The commemorations include the Ode to the Fallen and Last Post as part of the service tradition, but prior to that students from Rosewood State High School read out the names of the fallen.

Then Rosewood State School students read a poem.

“The local high school’s student leaders come to the service each year and read out the names very respectfully,” she said.

“Representatives from the RSL and veteran groups in the community participate in the wreath laying ceremony, as do anyone in the general public who wishes to.”

The Catafalque party was provided by the 35 Squadron from the Amberley RAAF Base.