Respect needed to commemorate sacrifice of those serving this Anzac Day

Narrogin veteran Neill Dorset hopes everyone can take a moment this Anzac Day to contemplate the sacrifices made in ensuring this country’s freedom. Mr Dorset, the vice-president of the Narrogin RSL sub-branch, enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy at the age of 16 and spent the next 13 years serving his country at sea. He started in the communications department as a signalman, working his way through the ranks until he was commissioned as a lieutenant before becoming a communications navigation officer. “I don’t think a lot of people really appreciate what the servicemen and women and nurses did ... those people gave an awful lot for the country and I wonder whether people really appreciate what they’ve done,” he said. “Some of them cope quite well. “There are an awful lot of them who don’t cope and who are still suffering. “You’ve got a lot of freedom, and that wouldn’t happen without these servicemen and women.” Mr Dorset said events such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day were set aside for the country to honour their service. “People should treat that day, Anzac Day, with the respect that it’s due and not abuse it,” he said. “You read in the papers how some people want to make it an ordinary day, but surely we can put one or two days aside to remember these things. To me, they are special days and we should take time out of our busy lives just to stop and think and remem-ber.” This year’s Narrogin dawn service will see attendees arriving at Memorial Park from 5.30am. The service will begin at 5.50am with an address from Narrogin RSL president Hendrikus Chattillon, before a prayer, the laying of the wreath and The Ode, followed by the playing of The Last Post. After the service, there will be a gunfire breakfast at the senior citizens centre on Earl Street, which will be open to the public. Veterans will then assemble for the Anzac Day march at 9.30am, with the march setting off at 9.50am from the Soldiers Memorial Institute to Memorial Park, where the commemoration service will start at 10am.