Although the Australians remember on Anzac day, they also observe the WWI armistice on November 11th. This is a short story featuring buffer and bomber as well as the rest of the Hamersley crew as they lead HMAS Cairns in remembering the fallen.
The crew of Hammersley stood waiting for the service to start. It was November 11th and they were waiting to say thank you and remember all the Australian mem and women who had lost their lives. It was the ships turn to stand in the Park by the war memorial. They had already had the Anzac day public holiday and remembrance service.
Hopping from one foot to the other bomber could not keep still. It was quarter to eleven and they had to be perfect at eleven to lead cairns in remembrance.
" Able seaman brown, keep still you are representing the RAN and the city," buffer said through the corner of his mouth, looking over to where Kate and the rest of the commissioned officers stood.
"sorry buff," bomber replied rather sheepishly.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
The bugler began sounding the last post to mark the start of the two minuets silence.
Making their way back to the ship bomber stopped by the war memorial and took off the blood red poppy that was pinned on her tunic and placed on the steps among the sea of poppies.
"hey buff wait up" she called jogging to catch up with her crew before sending a silent thank you to all those who served and asking them to keep her and her crew safe as they had just been crash sailed.