Silence fell over Geelong on Tuesday as the community took the time to remember the service men and women who died in the line of duty.
Geelong Returned and Services League held a Remembrance Day service on 11 November, with senior vice president Matt Jack addressing the community on the day’s importance.
The retired sergeant served in the Australian Army for 24 years before he was medically discharged in 2017 following a spinal injury sustained during battle in East Timor.
“I did cadets while I was in school, and it intrigued me at the time, so I just wanted to join the service and do something for our nation,” Mr Jack said.
“Throughout my service, there were 41 people being killed overseas, and 10 of those were probably close to where I was posted at the time.”
Remembrance Day is held on the 11th day of the 11th month each year, with a minute of silence held at 11am in honour of the soldiers who died while fighting to protect the nation.
Close to 200 people attended the Johnstone Park service, with rain and hail leading to the service being held inside the Geelong and District Peace Memorial.
“Remembrance Day is about remembering our fallen…and it’s more of a solemn event,” Mr Jack said.
“The service was bigger than last year, which…means that more people in the community are either getting involved or have links to family members who served in defence.”
Services were also held at Geelong West Town Hall on 8 November, Waurn Ponds Memorial Reserve and in Newtown on 9 November, along with services in Lara, Norlane, Inverleigh, Winchelsea and Torquay on 11 November.
