Organising Your Visit to Military Cemeteries: 3 Things You Need to Do
Over the course of the 20th century, Australian members of the armed forces were involved in major conflicts such as WW1, WW2 and the Vietnam War. There are a large number of war memorials and military cemeteries which are scattered across the country. If you are a veteran planning a trip so you and other fellow former servicemen can pay their respects, you may be looking for advice. Below is a guide which will help you to organise everything.
Establish Which Military Cemeteries You Wish to Visit
There are 72 Commonwealth war cemeteries in Australia. The largest of these is the Sydney War Cemetery. While you may not be able to visit all of these locations, you should be able to cover a good number if you plan ahead. Each different Commonwealth war cemetery will contain the dead from a particular regiment and will normally be linked to a particular battle or military action. You should check the location of any graves which contain the remains of men who fought in your former regiment or unit as these will have special significance. For full details of where the dead from various units and conflicts are buried, you should contact the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Organise Poppy Wreaths and Wooden Crosses
The red poppy has become a symbol of remembrance for those who have lost their lives in conflict. Every 11th of November, red poppies are used to commemorate those who have lost their lives in every conflict since WW1. While you will normally see paper poppies for sale in the final weeks of October, it is possible to purchase poppy wreaths and small wooden crosses all year round. The money raised is used to help to support current and ex-service members and their families. You should buy a set of wreaths and wooden crosses so that the group can lay them down when they visit a military cemetery to pay their respects
Charter a Bus Tour
A bus is the most cost-efficient way of transporting a group of veterans from one cemetery to another. The benefit of booking a charter bus tour is that you can plan your exact route and are not confined to where public transport will take you. Some charter bus companies also offer a guide who will be able to provide useful information about the history of the battles that each unit was involved in. To find out more, you should contact a bus charter company today.
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