Armistice Day service chance to remember fallen
GIVEN the cancellation of Anzac Day services this year because of Covid19, returned servicemen and women are welcoming the opportunity to reunite today for the Armistice Day remembrance service at the Dunedin Cenotaph in Queens Gardens.
Dunedin Returned and Services’ Association president Lox Kellas said this year, the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month was not just a time to remember the signing of the armistice which ended World War 1 in 1918.
‘‘With Anzac Day being cancelled this year because of Covid, this presents an opportunity for people to go to a service where they can remember the fallen.’’
Returned servicemen and women and their families around New Zealand would be among many around the world who would remember those who served their country in times of conflict, and those who suffered as a result, he said.
Dunedin’s Armistice Day service will begin at 10.55am with a 25pounder gun salute.
Two rounds will be fired one minute apart, followed by two minutes’ silence.
The service will be led by Padre Aaron Knotts, and the formal address will be given by retired New Zealand Army colonel Roger McElwain.
It will also be attended by Australian representative Squadron Leader Lawry Benier and United Kingdom representative Wing Commander Andy Bryant.
The public will be invited to lay wreaths on the
Dunedin Cenotaph before
The Ode of Remembrance, prayers and the Last Post and Reveille are performed.
The service will end with the singing of the New Zealand national anthem.
The event will be livestreamed on the Otago Daily Times website (www. odt.co.nz) and broadcast later on Channel 39.
Following the event, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum curator Sean Brosnahan will give an Armistice Day commemoration talk at 1pm titled ‘‘The other side of the hill: WW1 from our enemies’ perspective’’.