Friday 20 April 2012

MALAYSIA - Labuan War Cemetery

On Thursday we embarked upon the daunting task of preparing for the twilight memorial service at this cemetery. There are 3,908 burial sites and over 2,200 allied names on memorial plaques whose bodies were never found but were known to have died in the Borneo campaign. Roughly two thirds of those commemorated were/are Australian personnel.

The cemetery is a lonely and expansive place, some gravesides have no name, just a Nationality - Australian with the "Rising sun". It is a beautiful garden, reflective and befitting as a peaceful place to rest. The locals visit regularly as do many Australian visitors.

Our service was an honour, our WA students very proud of their association. The guard of honour by all the youth present, reflected the ongoing need for them to perpetuate the understanding of ANZAC Day.

There were about 70 Australians present for the service and many locals. Wreaths were laid, names were called out, plaques laid, prayers said and the flags raised.

Lynne- Sent from my iPad

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