The Last Post played on a bugle by John Hinton, followed by a minute of silence, signaled the start of the poignant Remembrance Day parade.

Across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific there are close to one million veterans ranging in ages from the early 20s to over 100 years old.

On Saturday, Lyall Wichman, who has served for 11 years and is currently serving part time, delivered the opening address on behalf of the Cook Islands Returned Services & Association (CIRSA).

 “Having served and lost friends in battles that we fought in together, other the ANZAC Day this Remembrance Day is a day to remember all service people that have served, and are still serving,” he said.

The Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany to end World War I, the war to end all wars, 105 years ago.

However, ongoing conflicts continue today.

“Remembrance Day honours and reflects on all who have served,” said Wichman.

“We recognize all the service men and women who have lost their lives, we honour those who returned changed by what they have experienced, and we honour those who are still serving today.”

Prime Minister Mark Brown and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni who is a former soldier, attended Remembrance parade, as well Makea Karika George Ariki, Sir Tom Marsters, New Zealand High Commissioner Tui Dewes, Australia High Commissioner Phoebe Smith attended the parade.

Wichman was pleased to see more people attend the parade, like the Prime Minister of Fiji.  

“He called me at 6.30am this morning to ask what was going on today, and that he wanted to attend, it is good he joined us,” he said.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the visiting United Kingdom Minister of State for Indo-Pacific was thankful for the “extraordinary opportunity” to share in Remembrance Day.

She was grateful for the privilege to be among veterans and families of the Cook Islands.

During her address she said, “They have all sacrificed having served extraordinary duty in their lives so that we can live in peace and freedom.”

She shared her “extraordinary experience” which had moved her “so dearly” a few years ago when her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth was commissioning a ship.

She said although the Queen was a very small lady, she had this ability to fill any place with her presence.

At the launching of this ship, the Queen stated: “I am the daughter of a sailor, the wife of a sailor, I am the mother of a sailor and I am a grandmother of a sailor, so I understand absolutely what it is to send your families off to fight for your country,” said an emotional Trevelyan.

“It was extraordinary, you could hear a pin drop.

“And it struck me at that moment for someone whose been very lucky not to lose anyone…  this was a woman, our queen, a woman who has experienced day in and day out, the challenges of being someone whose families’ members generation after generation prove themselves to this extraordinary commitment of service,” she said.

There was standing room only in the CIRSA club room for the Remembrance parade, which is a big change from previous years.

Pira Wichman, from the CIRSA said, “we feel so blessed and honoured because often when we do these parades, it is just the few of us.

“We are blessed to have our Prime Minister Brown, the Fiji Prime Ministers who is a Major General and the UK Minister and her very emotional speech,” Pira said.