Pictured above Tim O’Keeffe.
On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation. At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender.
Bonnie and Regan school leaders from MHS
Fast forward to 2023 and residents of Harden and Murrumburrah came out in droves to respect those that fell in combat.
Harden at Newson Park and Murrumburrah at the Bill the Bastard statue. The Harden service started with a welcome and prologue by Tim O’Keeffe before moving into the hyme. A prayer of remembrance was said before the MHS students read the poem, In Flanders Field. The community laid wreaths before the ode, last post, minute’s silence and the service was concluded.
Councillor Tony Flanery
Councillor Tony Flannery spoke at the service, saying, “Today We remember the fallen and the lives lost. The injury… mental and physical to those who returned. We honour what they did for our nation and we stand here today free.
“As I stand here with generations older than me and generations younger than me…it’s important to remember how lucky we are and how lucky our generation has been and how lucky the future generations will be.
“We certainly enter times that are more uncertain…It really is a concern with the unrest we see in Ukraine and Russia, with the Israel Palestine war. We hope and pray these fights will be resolved without the loss of civilian casualty.” Murrumburrah had a similar service to memorialise the First World War that had mobilised over 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead.
They had started with a welcome speech by Cr Flannery as well, before going into the prayer by Rev David before wreaths were laid and The Last Post was played before the minute’s silence. No matter where you were in the Twin Towns, people were offered a chance to reflect and respect.
Jack Murray
