Local servicemen honoured on Remembrance Day

Today marks the 97th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I.

In addressing those gathered to pay their respects, Cootamundra RSL Sub-branch chairman Garry James called for a minute of silence “for all those who have died and suffered from all wars”.

“A lot has changed in the past 97 years, but the core values of our men and women in uniform- of courage, endurance, mateship and self sacrifice- have lived on through many wars,” Mr James said.

Cootamundra High School leaders then laid 14 crosses with knitted red poppies in the rose bed around the cenotaph.

EA Southee Public School held their own ceremony complete with the laying of 42 crosses.

The crosses are inscribed with the names of WWI servicemen selected and researched by the students.

The students could choose a local serviceman or a relative, or even a service animal marked with a purple poppy.

The iconic symbols were commissioned by the Cootamundra RSL Sub-branch in cooperation with local schools, women’s groups and the Men’s Shed.

Cootamundra RSL Sub-branch vice chairman Ken You explained the idea is to see every local school contribute more crosses each year up to 2018.

By that point there could be up to 400 personal crosses in memory of those prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Cootamundra High School captain Maddison Baker says she was proud to be part of the ceremony.

“Remembrance Day means a lot to myself and many people as a day to remember all the men and women who sacrificed themselves and died for our country during World War I,” Maddi said.

“We remember those from our town and country in a community event where we can all pay our respects together.”

Me James thanked the schools for their involvement and the community for their “generous support” of local veterans, saying the recent Poppy Appeal raised $2500 for veterans and the families in Cootamundra.