RED poppies appeared on lapels across downtown Dubbo yesterday as teenagers in immaculate blue uniforms paid their respects to men and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice in wartime.
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Members of the Australian Air Force Cadets 313 Squadron City of Dubbo divided into groups and visited businesses, shops and offices selling Remembrance Day merchandise on behalf of Dubbo RSL Sub Branch.
They were getting few knockbacks from shoppers and workers, sections of a community that is being encouraged to attend the Remembrance Day service at the Dubbo Cenotaph on Sunday from 10.30am.
The cadets, aged from 13 to 17, were enjoying their service to community. "We've been going since 9 o'clock and the response has been really good," said the eldest, 17-year-old Cadet Warrant Officer Leslie Roche.
He said the morning excursion into the central business district allowed the cadets to pay "our respects to the fallen and the current serving members".
About 20 members of 313 Squadron will take part in Sunday's service.
"It's really, really good when you see the smiles on the diggers' faces because the younger generation has come to honour them and their fallen brothers, sisters and family members," Cadet Warrant Officer Roche said.
The cadets stood out in the streets of Dubbo, for all the right reasons yesterday.
They expressed hope that others might join them.
"We've got nearly 50 cadets at the moment and that's as big as some Sydney squadrons," Cadet Warrant Officer Roche said.
"We would like a few more."