A time to pay respects

A member of the Greenbushes Returned and Services League has called for a renewed enthusiasm for this year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies. Secretary and treasurer of the Greenbushes RSL sub branch, Patrick Scallan, said that as time passed since the major conflicts of the 20th century it had become even more important to remember and honour the sacrifices of those who fought in the various conflicts. “I think my biggest thing is that the grandfathers are all passing on now so the children do not have a direct connection to the Second World War, the First World War definitely not and there are only a few now who are associated with conflicts like the peace keeping forces, Vietnam and Korea,” he said. “I think children need to understand and know what these people did for their country.” Mr Scallan said that although the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic prevented real large-scale physical ceremonies, people could still bond emotionally on the day. “I think with a time like COVID it has brought to attention how spread out we are as a people and a nation and this is sort of one day that we can all come together whether we are actually physically together or not just to remember these people that have died,” he said. The former service member said the day allowed the community to gather and give thanks for the society we live in. “I think that it is just a great opportunity for the community to come together and remember those who sacrificed their lives for what we live in now,” he said. “The peace and prosperity that we have here.”