While Remembrance Day observes the end of World War I, the day now signifies that and so much more for defence personnel and their families.
Dave Thompson is a younger member of the Newcastle RSL Sub-branch. He said Remembrance Day was still as important as ever and the RSL organisation was making a concerted effort to include the newer generations of defence members coming through.
Remembrance Day recalls the end of World War I hostilities, which ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
While remembering and paying great tribute to World War I and II soldiers, Mr Thompson said the day was also about recognising the sacrifices of all service members who had died for their country.
"We stop and remember those who have given their lives in different conflicts over the years," he said.
"The big misconception is that it's all about trench warfare and the gas masks and all that. There's a lot of guys and girls that work overseas even now and their form of service may be administrative, or driving trucks, pilots.
"People who have gone away wearing the uniform and our flag on their shoulder.
"That also comes with a real emotional cost, especially for people with families and the families really wear the brunt of that as well."
For former Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon, the day is a personal one.
It will be the first Rememberance Day since his son, Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, died in a parachute training incident at the Richmond RAAF base in March.
"It has always been an important day and it grew even more so during my time and after as Defence Minister but of course now it takes on a very, very special significance," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
While Monday will be an incredibly difficult time, Mr Fitzgibbon said the support from loved ones continued to help his family through.
The Fitzgibbons will spend the day at the North Bondi RSL - a special place of significance for Commandos.
"Ideally all Australians would think about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice everyday, but Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and others serve to focus our minds, and that's a good thing," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Mr Thompson paid tribute to Jack Fitzgibbon, saying he was a "really well-respected guy" in the special forces community. He said Jack exemplified why Remembrance Day was still so significant.
"There's training accidents that happen and there's people who turn up to work thinking they will come home that day, and it's those guys and the amount of risk that they take to serve our country that is so important to remember," he said.
"Remembrance Day concerns all forms of service. The service that a lot of ADF personnel have given in the last 20 years is so different than what it used to be and perhaps than what the general public thinks it is."
Remembrance Day services
CESSNOCK - The Cessnock RSL Sub-Branch is hosting a Remembrance Day service at 11am at the Cessnock War Memorial, which is located within the grounds of Cessnock TAFE.
PORT STEPHENS - A service at Raymond Terrace will start at ANZAC Park from 10.30am. In Nelson Bay there will be a service at Apex Park from 10.30am. The service in Medowie will be held at the ANZAC Memorial at Medowie Social, from 10.30am. A service will be held at Tilligerry RSL Sports Club at 10.40am.
NEWCASTLE - The Newcastle service will take place at 11am in Civic Park with a flypast of an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, soaring low over the city from east to west at 11am.
LAKE MACQUARIE - a service in the Cardiff RSL Club car park adjacent to the Stone of Remembrance starts at 10.30am. The Dudley service will be at the war memorial monument on Ocean St, Dudley at 10.40am. Pelican Flats RSL Sub-branch will assemble in Memorial Park opposite the sub-branch at 10.30am for a 10.40am start. The Swansea service at the Remembrance Wall at the front of the RSL club starts at 11am. The Toronto service in Goffet Park begins at 10.30am. The Lions Club of Valentine service at Allambee Park will assemble at 10.30am for a 10.40am start. The Wangi Wangi service at the cenotaph in front of Wangi Wangi RSL Club starts at 10.30am. The South Lake Macquarie RSL Sub-branch service will be at Dora Creek Workers Club on Sunday, November 10. Assemble at 10.40am for an 11am service.
MAITLAND - The East Maitland service will begin at 10.30am and the RSL sub-branch has asked attendees to be seated at the war memorial by 10.25am. The Maitland service begins at 10.30am at Maitland Park.
