I HAVE never been in the Australian Armed Forces, never been a soldier, and I have no medals. Yet around 30 years ago the Kempsey-Macleay RSL sub-branch honoured me by asking me to lead the singing of the hymns and National Anthem on ANZAC Day.
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For most of the years I have participated in the Dawn Service at Kempsey, the 9am service at Frederickton and the 11am service at the East Kempsey monument.
This year the ANZAC Day ceremonies have been cancelled because of COVID-19.
It is my intention therefore at 11am on ANZAC Day to stand in front of my place of residence, 15 Belle Rio Close, Verges Creek, and perform the Commemoration Service as far as I am able by speaking the Prologue, singing the Recessional, saying the prayers of Thanksgiving, for the Queen and for the nation, singing the hymn Lead Kindly Light, and making the Commemoration to the Fallen.
The Last Post will be sounded on CD. I will speak The Ode and Reveille will sound on CD.
I will sing the hymn Abide With Me and the National Anthem.
Sadly, I will not have my friends, the Kempsey Silver Band as musical accompaniment. Nor will there be a catafalque party, nor the raising and lowering of the flag, nor the laying of wreaths.
The flag will hang on my home and I will wear the sprig of rosemary.
I invite my neighbours to stand at their gate and join with me so that our ANZACs, those deceased and those still with us, will know they are loved and we will remember them.
Lest We Forget.
