Wagga is preparing to pay its respects ahead of a very important anniversary.
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Organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure there are a number of features to make the Centenary of Armistice a day of firsts.
In addition, past and serving members of the Australian Defence Force have been invited to march together down the main street on Sunday morning.
RSL Sub Branch member and chief co-ordinator David Abbott said the once-off parade would be similar to the traditional Anzac Day march.
However, he said a key difference would be the emphasis of unity, with veterans of all ages, from all conflicts, eras, branches, arms and services marching side by side.
“We’re going to be marching as one,” Mr Abbott said. “We are all brothers and sister in arms. We are family.”
A lone piper is set to lead the parade from 10am, with participants invited to gather at the corner of Baylis and Morgan Street from 9.30am.
Members of the Light Horse Troupe will follow, with one of the city’s youngest Wagga RSL Sub-Branch members, Rifleman Dale Abbott – of 1/19 Royal New South Wales Regiment – bearing the Australia flag behind them.
The sub-branch bus will come at the rear, giving pride of place to any veteran, physically unable to march, but still wishing to be involved.
“We are respectfully asking that only those who have served or are still serving take part in the initial parade,” Mr Abbott said. “After the bus moves past, relatives or anyone who wishes to can then fall in behind and march with us to the Victory Memorial Gardens.”
During the official Remembrance Day service, Mr Abbott said there would be a traditional two-minute silence instead of one minute and both verses of the national anthem would play.
“There was always a two-minute silence after The Ode,” he said. “I don’t know when it changed.”