REMEMBRANCE Day services across Sunraysia on Saturday will salute the memory of the servicemen and women who gave their lives to protect our nation.

On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed to reflect the guns on the Western Front falling silent in 1918 after more than four years of relentless warfare.

The Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement.

They accepted the Allied terms of unconditional surrender.

The conflict mobilised more than 70 million people, left between nine and 13 million dead.

The time and date of the armistice attained a special significance in post-war years.

It became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war.

Originally known as Armistice Day, it was renamed Remembrance Day after World War II to commemorate those who were killed in both world wars.

Today, the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

The Mildura RSL Remembrance Day service at Henderson Park will get under way at 10.55am with brief speeches by Mildura RSL president Paul McDermott and Mildura Mayor Liam Wood before one minute's silence and wreath laying.

The Wentworth and District RSL sub-branch will hold a service at the Wentworth Cenotaph from 10.45am on Saturday with the laying of wreaths by community groups and members.

The Merbein RSL sub-branches will gather at the Kenny Park gates for a short Remembrance Day service and laying of wreaths.

Other services will also be held throughout the region and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Residents have been encouraged to support this year's Remembrance Day appeal to support war veterans and their families in need, following recent years impacted by COVID-19 leaving sub-branches with depleted reserves.

Funds raised through the likes of the Remembrance Day poppy appeal assist those veterans and their families in need of assistance.