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- Written by: Op-Ed Happy Expat
I remember when Armistice Day was commemorated spontaneously, reverently and universally. As I approach my 91st birthday, I would like to share my thoughts with you about the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour.
As a kid at state (primary) school we were taught about the sacrifice of the soldiers who died in the war to end all wars and assembled at 11.00am to salute the flag, the Union Jack, and have 2 minutes silence with heads bowed.
The Union Jack ceased to be the official flag of Australia in 1954 when the Flags Act was enacted, designating the Australian Blue Ensign as the national flag. Prior to this, the Union Jack was considered the national flag for about 50 years after Australia's federation in 1901.
But this was in the 1940’s when there were many veterans of WW1 still among us.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month was instilled into us with the utmost reverence and seriousness.
Read more: Armistice Day - a Day of Remembrance - LEST WE FORGET
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