Red Shield Defence Services observes Remembrance Day
Red Shield Defence Services observes Remembrance Day
11 November 2022
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
The Salvation Army’s long history of supporting those affected by war continues each year on Remembrance Day, observing two minutes of silence and participating in events across the country.
World War One ended at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Earlier that morning, Germany, facing imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies (Britain, France, Russia) outside Compiegne, France.
Red Shield Defence Services Chief Commissioner Brett Gallagher will again take part in a Defence Sunday service this year.
This day is known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day and is commemorated on 11 November in many of the 100 countries worldwide that fought in World War One – including Australia.
The Salvation Army Red Shield Defence Services (RSDS) will assist in Remembrance Day events across the country’s bases and training areas, hosting Defence Sundays and providing support in local corps. Salvation Army teams will also be present in some aged-care centres, for veterans in residence, or in places like Home Leagues and Seniors Clubs.
“Members of The Salvation Army’s team will participate in Remembrance Day services on bases around the country,” explains Brett Gallagher, Chief Commissioner of Red Shield Defence Services. “We sometimes play the bugle or lead in prayers.”
RSDS support vehicles are also at Remembrance Day events in the community, offering refreshments and creating safe spaces for those needing rest or conversation.
“Sometimes we’re just there to be present,” Brett says. “When the last post is played, it can be an emotional time, and people need someone to talk to. We try to make a safe place to help people deal with whatever is going on for them.”
Sit down with a good book and a cuppa tea
Cuppa tea Digger? by The Salvation Army Museum Manager Lindsay Cox will entertain and inform you, and lend insight into how people survive the frenzy, bloodlust, fatigue, trauma, boredom and carnage of war.
Subtitled ‘Salvos Serving In World War Two’, the book is a 25-year labour of love based largely on more than 180 oral histories of Diggers and Salvos’ philanthropic Red Shield War Services (RSWS) who were there ‘on the ground’, in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East. That includes the last stop before the ‘Brisbane line’, the arm-wrestle with Japanese forces on the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.
The 240-page, hard-cover book comes with 300 brilliant photos, a knowledgeable foreword from General Sir Peter Cosgrove, and the writer’s insights into the costs of battle. To be launched in late November, it also accurately captures the intergenerational, courageous service that led Australians to fully embrace the Salvos as a fair dinkum mob worth supporting.
Cuppa tea, Digger? (by Salvo Publishing) is available from Sydney Salvationist Supplies (1800 634 209) or thetrade.salvos.org.au, and Melbourne Salvation Army Supplies (1800 100 018) or commerce.salvationarmy.org.au
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