“The horrors of war must never be glorified, but remembered.”
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They were the opening words from Orange Anglican Grammar School student Hamish Bracey as he started Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day commemorations at Robertson Park.
Tuesday marked the 72nd year since Japan’s surrender, ending World War II.
Hamish said it was important for people to remember the sacrifice which had been made for the nation’s values.
“We can’t go and celebrate what war is, but we need to remember what soldiers have done for us,” he said.
Reg Golding said it was great to see more people learning more about the nation’s history.
“Our history is steeped in the conflicts that we’ve participated in,” he said.
Orange Returned and Service’s League sub-branch president Lindsay Wright said VP Day marked the end a time when Australia was threatened by invasion, and marked efforts to prevent it.
“We’ve got to remember everyone, not only the ones who didn’t come home, but the people who did come back and the people who pulled together, they kept Australia going,” Mr Wright said.
A small but dedicated crowd attended the commemoration on Tuesday.
“While ever there are people who lost family members during the way, their memory will live on,” Ken Harper from Orange’s Naval Association sub-branch said.