Busselton RSL honours the brave on Remembrance Day
Dozens turned out on Remembrance Day to pay their respects to those who gave their lives in battle on Saturday.
The Busselton RSL, representatives from organisations such as The Royal Flying Doctor Service, Lions, schools, and government officials as well as members of the public gathered at Victoria Square to commemorate and reflect.
The ceremony began with Busselton RSL sub branch vice-president Jack Evans reciting the Prayer of Remembrance, followed by an address by president Steven Mott.
Mr Mott paid tribute to the only Busselton man who lost his life in the Vietnam War, Pte Stuart John Barnett, with this year marking the 50th anniversary of Australian forces leaving Vietnam.
“Tragically, he was killed not long after arriving in Vietnam . . . while Private Barnett is remembered here at this memorial, he was laid to rest in Shetland, Victoria,” Mr Mott said.
The Ode of Remembrance was then read out by Mr Mott as a minute’s silence was observed, accompanied by Cpl Trisha O’Connor from the Australian Army Band on the bugle.
Members of the public and representatives of various organisations were then invited to lay wreaths at the base of the Anzac monument.
Western Australian Cadet of the Year Cadet Flight Sgt Reece Leggo was invited to speak of his experiences in the forces, and the bond of mateship.
“Remembrance Day reminds us to be proud of our Diggers, and teaches us the values that they carried through some of the darkest days of our history,” he said.
“Courage, perseverance, mateship and leadership are the values and traits that our Diggers display, still to this day, Australians serving in the defence force continue to shroud those traits into our culture.”
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