The true cost of war is human
A Remembrance Day message from the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston.
CAPTION: Remembrance Day is a moment to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Story by Admiral David Johnston.
At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 1918, the Great War ended in armistice.
Across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, cities, towns and villages were left devastated by the conflict.
But the true cost of war is human: loved ones who would never return home, grieving families left in mourning, and veterans who would wear the physical and psychological scars of conflict for the rest of their lives.
On Remembrance Day, we honour all Australians who have defended our nation. We reflect on their service and sacrifice. Their stories of courage and commitment.
And in those stories, we realise we can empathise with their experiences.
Staff Nurse Anne Donnell enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, and served with the 3 Australian General Hospital and Reinforcements. On the day of the armistice, she wrote in her diary:
“The Armistice is signed. The guns went off at midday. There’s a certain amount of quiet excitement with most of us. Some are overjoyed. I wish I could feel happy, but I’m terribly depressed. I am thinking of Ross and Stewart, and how things have changed.”
On the same day, from a hospital in the United Kingdom, Gunner Cyril Harslett of the 54th Australian Field Artillery Battery wrote:
“News of armistice having been signed arrived at this place at 10.15pm. The wildest scenes of excitement [erupted] in town. [It’s] a very hard job to describe my emotions at the news, and I think that would be a hard thing for anyone to do so.”
In all, 103,000 Australians have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.
In their honour, the ADF’s members renew their commitment to the values they serve by: Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence.
I ask you to join our ADF members in standing at 11am on November 11 to observe a minute of silence in memory of the fallen.
Lest we forget.
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