Today is November 11. Remembrance Day.
Originally known as Armistice Day, it marked the beginning of the end of World War I.
At 11am on November 11, 1918, the guns fell silent across the Western Front as a negotiated deal came into effect (an 'armistice' is a formal agreement for fighting to stop). Thankfully, the armistice held, and the war ended.
That time, and that date – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – were subsequently chosen to commemorate those of the Commonwealth and Allied countries who died in the First World War.
Tragically, that war wouldn't be, as was hoped, 'the war to end all wars'. And so, subsequently, to include those who died in all wars, the commemoration was renamed Remembrance Day.
Each year, at 11am, we pause with one minute's silence, to remember those of our armed services who suffered and died in war and war-like conflicts, and in peace-keeping operations.
We remember their service. We remember their bravery. And we remember their sacrifice.
This year, as I was contemplating Remembrance Day, I was drawn to the word 'we'.
On one hand, Remembrance is deeply personal. We stand for one minute's silence wherever we are around the country. In the silence, we are left alone with our thoughts, as we reflect on those selfless soldiers, sailors and aviators.
And yet, as a commemoration, Remembrance Day is deeply communal.
The lament, and gentle exhortation, is not Lest I Forget, but Lest We Forget.
It is a reminder that while the fallen were each someone's son, niece, father or sister, they were also each Australians, serving our common cause, in our uniform, under our flag and in our name.
That while they may have joined for any number of reasons – loyalty, adventure, escape, expectation – they served a single chain of command, and faithfully followed orders.
Sometimes – too often – even unto death.
They didn't choose the conflict, the enemy or the battlefield. They simply did as they were asked, as loyal servants of their – our – country.
Maybe that's why commemoration should be both personal, and communal.
Because it's not just about me. Or you.
It's about us. About marking something that is deeply important to us all.
It is about our sacred duty to remember. As a community and as a nation. The nation they served, and in whose name they died.
They are with us still in spirit. In the words inscribed on countless war memorials across the country, their names liveth forevermore.
I will pause for one minute's silence at 11am, today.
It is a personal decision, but I hope you might consider doing the same, joining our communal Remembrance.
A communal tone that is also clear in the Ode Of Remembrance, which will be recited at memorials and cenotaphs around the country at 11am.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget.
