By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
CRANBOURNE’S Remembrance Day ceremony was about making a pledge to never forget those who gave their lives in two world wars, and the many wars since.
Gathered around the iconic Cranbourne cenotaph, more than 100 residents, school children and community organisations took a minute out of their day to remember the Diggers at 11am on Wednesday.
Bugler Major Robert Evans from the Cranbourne Salvation Army struck a chord with the audience reciting the Last Post before senior vice president of the Dandenong/ Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch Bill Shepherd reminded everyone why they were there.
“One minute encourages remembrance of those who suffered and their family members that still do,” Mr Shepherd said.
“These men, women and strangers have given us a future and renewing our pledge to remember each year means they are not missing – they are here.”
The half hour ceremony allowed for more than 15 community leaders and schools to pay their respects and the cenotaph lit up above the floral tributes.
At his first Remembrance Day service, flag bearer from the Dandenong/ Cranbourne RSL Alan King said he normally takes a minute’s silence in his Bobcat.
“I’m normally always at work and I’ll pull over the truck but it’s out of action today,” Mr King said.
Just one day off conscription, Mr King said he would have fought if he had got the call up.
“I was working for my dad in earth moving at the time and I thought if I go, I go,” he said.
Cranbourne resident of 16 years Mr King wore three of his father’s medals on the day.
“My father was in the air force, he was a wireless air gunner – he did come home from the war,” Mr King said.
The official ceremony was concluded with a prayer of remembrance read by The Reverend Wendy Snook from the Cranbourne Regional Uniting Church.
