Konted's Make My Day 2: The Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance

The officer-in-charge was in maroon uniform and was wearing a headband. She looked strict and meant business all the time. She was gathering a group of tourists. She wanted them to assemble around a symbolic stone and observe a one-minute silence. She was looking at me and was gesturing that I should join. The place is part of an enclosed edifice which is popularly called Sanctuary. And the symbolic stone is called Stone of Remembrance. All can be seen at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, the Shrine of Remembrance is a massive structure that appears imposing as you travel through St. Kilda Road. This edifice was constructed in such a way that its centerpoint is aligned with St. Kilda Road which leads to the City proper. This alignment is highlighted by Remembrance Trees that line the main entrance. From the top of the Shrine, visitors get a good view of the City.

The Shrine of Remembrance was built in memory of Australian soldiers who perished in World War I. This would, later on, include WWII heroes. Australia takes pride in the fact that almost all towns have war memorials dedicated to those who fought and died in action. And the Shrine of Remembrance is the biggest memorial of them all in the State of Victoria. At 11 in the morning of November 11 of each year, thousands gather at the shrine to remember those who gave up their lives for the country and democracy. On Anzac Day, which is every April 25, people also gather at the Shrine.

With the lady officer leading, a short prayer was said. And as I looked at the Stone, I saw the following inscription: Greater love hath no man. I pulled out my digicam as I joined in the prayer. The itch to shoot was there. I aimed and was anticipating that the lady officer would call my attention and would ask me to stop. She gave me a stern look, but just the same, I pressed the button. I was waiting for the reprimand but, instead, she walked away with the other tourists joining her and I could still hear her voice as she continued with her orientation: " Fighting stopped at 11am on November 11, 1918......after four years of incessant,bloody fighting, World War I came to an end....."

- Konted