Australians remember fallen soldiers at Remembrance Day ceremony

Hundreds of Australians on Friday have turned out in Canberra and Melbourne's war memorials to remember the fallen soldiers at the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. The annual Remembrance Day ceremony marked 93 years since the end of fighting in World War I. During the ceremony in Canberra's Australian War Memorial, 102 school students laid poppies for the 102,000 Australians who have died serving their nation since World War I. The sounds of gunshot fire marked the start of a minute's silence to remember those who died or suffered in all wars and conflicts. Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Governor-General Quentin Bryce and the heads of the Defense Force were among those laying wreaths at the memorial. Gillard told the ceremony that Australia has been a key participant in recent wars and has paid a heavy price. "We are a good nation in an imperfect world. A people of peace so often called to war," she told the crowd in Canberra. Meanwhile, Victorian state Premier Ted Baillieu, State Governor Alex Chernov and other dignitaries attended the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. Baillieu said the Remembrance Day was a time to reflect on how much Australians owed to their veterans and serving military personnel. "Today, we pause and reflect to honor our real heroes - the brave men and women who have given their all for our freedom," he said. "Victorians recognize the valiant efforts of our brave servicemen and women in protecting our values and our freedom and preserving our tolerant and multicultural society."