The Lismore Memorial Service was attended by thousands under a stunning sky this morning. It was a solemn occasion, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Ken Arnett, the President of the Lismore RSL.

In attendance were Lismore dignitaries, Veterans, Cadets and Armed Forces, school children and representatives from New Zealand among many, many others.

A special address was given by Major Alexander Rubin, the Operations Manager for Northern NSW, and known for his success in commanding the success of the operation to rescue the soccer team trapped underground in Thailand.  

He begins his address, “War is ultimately a last resort and only occurs when our diplomatic leaders fail in democracy.” He acknowledges the emergency services that protect us and look after us here, daily “noting the disasters we have seen in this region over the years.”

Major Rubin went on to stress that ANZAC Day is a day, “not to glorify war, but to honour those who have sacrificed themselves during times of conflict and crisis, so that we do not have to live in fear.”

Major Rubin points out that we celebrate our armed services on a day of defeat (in Gallipoli), not victory as many others do. ANZAC Day is about remembrance: “ We commemorate ANZAC Day; it is a solemn occasion to reflect on the cost that is paid for the gift of safety and freedom we take for granted every other day.”

A little known man in the army -a boy in actual fact, Henry William Cox, signed up as a 15-year-old, turned 16 as he went through training, and died in France at the age of 17. Major Rubin asked us to think of Henry when we think of our losses on ANZAC Day.

Speaking with Lt Col. Ken Arnett after the ceremony, he says, “It is a straight-out privilege to stand up and represent the community.” Lt Col Arnett served for 50 years and lost people close to him in the Vietnam war. “I look back and remember handsome, strong boys, two I went to school with and one I knew through cadets. They went into war to do their duty and they did their duty to the end.

“All those little kids there today, weren’t they fantastic.” Lt Col Arnett talked of meeting with children over the last week or so, and the reception he got from them about the meaning of the ANZACs. He spoke highly of the morning service the high school children had organised at North Lismore.

As the formal part of the ceremony broke up, people went to look at the flowers and tributes left, meet up with people they knew and touch base with people that had served in the same war zones.

Following the Main March and Service, Major Rubin stressed the points made in his speech - in particular, the gratitude he feels for the emergency services that protect us here on a day-to-day basis. He was very pleased to be a part of today's ceremony and told me that he took the opportunity to say what he really believes about war in his speech.  

I would like to finish this article with Major Rubins final message from those that have gone, and leave that lingering in our minds for consideration;

“We have given our lives to bring you freedom.

So take this freedom, protect it, as we are no longer able to protect it for you.  

Use this freedom to build a better future.”

(Image: Eli and Hunter from the Summerland Christian College)