THE Last Post rang out, hats were doffed and heads were bowed as Redlands paid tribute to those who served in war.
About 750 people turned out at Anzac Park to say Lest We Forget on a hot and smoky Remembrance Day.
Veterans' medals shone on a hazy day as they remembered the fallen. Many were emotional as they honoured their colleagues who did not return from conflict, and those who had died in the intervening years.
Joining them were a large contingent of partners and carers, schoolchildren, on-lookers and politicians.
Representatives of a long list of organisations laid wreaths and poppies on the 101st anniversary of the guns falling silent in the Great War.
The haunting sounds of bagpipes accompanied them.
Cleveland High School student Ethan Bloomer, who turns 15 this week, played the Last Post and The Rouse.
Many veterans stopped to shake his hand after the service, such was the quality of his playing.
The young man has taken on bugler duties for the past three years.
"It's always such a pleasure and an honour to play on the day," he said.
Cleveland RSL president Alan Harcourt agreed Ethan was outstanding.
"He did a fantastic job," Mr Harcourt said.
Mr Harcourt was pleased with the turnout on the day. It wasn't as large as last year, on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice - 18,000 attended that day - but Mr Harcourt said his estimate of 750 was still strong.
"This is a good turnout," he said.
Young Redlands RSL president Corporal Adrian Aiple was the guest speaker. He said his 'heart raced' when he used the day to reflect on the troops who served before him.
"It's a moment to reflect on the horror they endured on at Gallipoli, in Turkey," Cpl Aiple said.
He also thinks about his own service.
"I think about the sounds. The rockets and mortars landing on our position in Baghdad," he said.
He spoke of the courage of people like Captain Maria Inez Cortez, who was the first American nurse to die in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Maria was also the first US Army Nurse to die in conflict since the Vietnam War.
Reverend Margaret Wesley led the prayer and benediction, and Redlands RSL deputy president Ian Gray conducted the reading of the passing parade.
Redlands RSL secretary Michael McDonnell was the MC for the service.
