Last Post Ceremony held to commemorate 20th Anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks

The Australian War Memorial held a Last Post Ceremony at 4.45pm this afternoon to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.

The ceremony was live streamed through the Memorial’s social media FaceBook and YouTube platforms.

A vale was delivered by Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army Warrant Officer Grant McFarlane for those currently listed on the Afghanistan panel of the Roll of Honour. The 39,000 Australian Defence Force personnel who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East region over the past 20 years were also honoured.

Wreaths were laid during the ceremony on behalf of the Prime Minister and Federal Opposition Leader by Senator Zed Seselja and Dr Andrew Leigh MP.

Wreaths were also laid by Memorial Director Matt Anderson, United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Michael Goldman, Chief of Defence Force, General Angus Campbell and Council Member of the Australian War Memorial, Sharon Bown.

The Minister for Defence, Shadow Minister for Defence and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs were unable to attend, their respects were acknowledged at the ceremony. 

Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson said, “Today, we remember the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, and those who have fallen as a result. We commemorate those listed on the Roll of Honour, and we acknowledge with thanks all who served in our longest war. At a time when many of us cannot yet gather in person, it has never been more important to gather in spirit,” Mr Anderson said.

The ceremony took place with the approval of the ACT Chief Medical Officer. Due to ACT COVID-19 lockdown restrictions no visitors were permitted at the event.

People who missed the live stream can view the ceremony on the Australian War Memorial Last Post Ceremony YouTube site: https://www.youtube.com/c/AWMLastPost and the Australian War Memorial Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AWMemorial

More information on the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks is available here:

https://www.awm.gov.au/9-11-twentyyearson

Photographs will be available on the Memorial’s Flickr page:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/awm/pool/