Katherine's ADF personnel are grateful to be able to commemorate Remembrance Day today after the recent COVID outbreak put the annual ceremony in jeopardy.
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A commemorative service was held at the Katherine Cenotaph on Thursday morning, albeit with some COVID restrictions.
Squadron Leader at RAAF Tindal Lauren Guest said around 100 people including ADF personnel, veterans, politicians and emergency service members turned out to commemorate the important day.
"I think today was a really poignant moment for the Katherine community," she said.
"This year we've had such a busy year that has been so COVID focussed, so it was important being able to stop and come together, albeit by social distancing and mask wearing, but just to be in a place together and take a moment to think about all the Australians who have died in wars and conflicts and peacekeeping operations."
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2021 also marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force, making this year's celebrations particularly special.
"As we go into events like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, it's a chance for Air Force personnel to be able to pay homage to the 11,000 men and women who have lost their lives since 1921," Squadron Leader Guest said.
She said she was grateful the service was able to go ahead after the recent COVID outbreak in Katherine.
"There was a plan between the RAAF and the RSL to deliver a commemorative service. Should that have been affected by COVID it would not have been able to happen.
"We're incredibly grateful we've been able to proceed with today's ceremony."
Warrant Officer Graham Docking said Remembrance Day was an important time for his colleagues and the wider community.
"It's not just about remembering all the personnel that died in WWI, it's about every war... every defence member that has passed away during peacetime or war operations," he said.
"Anzac Day has its own special meaning, this is to remember everyone over the past years."
Warrant Officer Docking said RAAF personnel who were unable to leave work to attend the service would still commemorate the day.
"For those that are still at work, they'll still have that minute of silence at 11."
He said COVID-19 had changed the way the community had commemorated Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, but it was important they still had the opportunity to celebrate - even if in a different way.
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