World War Two ended in 1945 with 27,073 Australians dead and another 8296 deaths in captivity.

In the three years that the Korean War raged, by 1953 the total Australian casualties were 1084, with 333 dead, and 29 prisoners of war.

Five hundred and twenty deaths occurred during 12 years of conflict in Vietnam, with an additional 2398 wounded Australians.

At the present time, Australian service personnel continue to fight terrorism and tyranny in Iraq and Afghanistan, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

Ninety-three years have passed since the signing of the armistice, and we will continue to remember those who did not return.

Australia’s identity was forged during World War One and our defence of liberty continues to this day, but with this triumph comes extensive loss, felt by the whole of Australia.

At the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, we remember the stories behind the statistics, the voices of Australians who knew death was an adequate exchange for not letting a mate down.

We wear poppies as a sign of the new life they allowed us to have.

They knew that to protect our freedom, we had to be actively involved.

They fought to give this country, and its people courage to prosper and look to a liberated future with security and trust in itself and its people whilst never forgetting the sacrifice of the Australians who made Australia what it is today.

“Lest we Forget”.’’

These were the words of Lightning Ridge Central School student Sarah Thomas who spoke at last Friday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Lightning Ridge Cenotaph in the Lions Park.