It's been a different year for war commemorations in the Bathurst community due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, and Remembrance Day next Wednesday, November 11, will be no exception.
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A small gathering of veterans and members of the community will gather at the steps of the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon from 10.30am to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the end of World War One.
Bathurst RSL Sub Branch president David Mills said the challenge of running commemorative events as normal in 2020 hasn't dulled the community's respect towards past and present servicemen and women.
"The COVID-19 restrictions will not erode the sincerity of what Remembrance Day is all about," Mr Mills said.
The COVID-19 restrictions will not erode the sincerity of what Remembrance Day is all about.
- David Mills, Bathurst RSL Sub Branch president
"We'll be running a restricted service at the Carillon for people to honour the servicemen and women who've paid the ultimate sacrifice in war."
The commemoration will follow a similar organisation to August's Vietnam Veterans' Day service, which was held on the steps of the Carillon with a limited crowd; a far cry from Anzac Day this year where, with the community in lockdown, private commemorations were held from letterboxes.
Mr Mills said it's important for the community to honour the Australia's contribution to all conflicts, big or small.
"In 2020, we must remember our first responders as well as our veterans," he said.
"Remembrance Day honours sacrifice in war, but it's also about celebrating who we are as a community, especially citizens who have had to sacrifice much over the last eight months to look after us."
Bathurst and District Vietnam Veterans Association president John Murphy said Remembrance Day will continue to take on renewed meaning in future years as veterans of more recent conflicts become the majority.
"As it stands, most living Bathurst veterans fought in Vietnam, a war that transformed social attitudes towards conflict," Mr Murphy said.
"There's no certainly on when we'll be able to return to commemorative services as normal, but this year has proven we can keep the importance of remembrance alive in lieu of crowds."
A Bathurst RSL Club gathering will follow the service.