On the 11th of November at 11:00 am, whether in France or in Australia, we all pause to remember the those who have died or suffered in all wars and peacekeeping operations… In Melbourne, the official ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance will be different this year due to the sanitary restrictions.
You are invited to join online for a commemorative broadcast at 10.45 am, live-streamed on the Shrine’s Facebook and Youtube channels. This will be followed by a French commemorative service at 12:30 pm to honour the service and sacrifice of Australian and French soldiers. The words of Claude Midon, the President of the French RSL, and Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie, the Honorary Consul General of France in Melbourne, will be read. Below is an extract of her address:
When we hear the sound of the clarion, we pause and remember with a heavy heart the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country. We owe them our liberty; we owe then the fact that we live in a country where freedom of expression and freedom of thoughts are sacred rights.
Recently, France has been the subject of violent and barbaric acts from intolerant people refusing to understand nor accept the values of freedom of expression. It is therefore more important than ever for us to remember what is at stake when we commemorate the 11th of November.
We should take today’s solemn occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the democratic values that our ancestors defended at the cost of their own lives.
We cannot let the sacrifice of our Soldiers be in vain.
Lest we forget.”
11 novembre 2019
