First service for Middle East veterans

The inaugural Middle East Area of Operations Commemoration was hosted by RSL NSW at the Cenotaph in Martin Place on July 11.
It took place three years to the day that all Australian Defence Force personnel departed from Afghanistan, bringing our nation’s longest war involvement to a close.
The conflicts were in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks which led to our involvement across the Middle East for the next 20 years.
Australia’s participation came at a terrible cost with 54 lives lost in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.
Many more service personnel returned home with physical and mental injuries which are still felt today and, tragically, a high number of veteran suicides.
The commemoration came a day after the NSW Government announced a $2 million investment to build a new war memorial dedicated to those who served in the Middle East campaigns and their families.
Helping to plan the second mission to Afghanistan, Matt said he appreciated the Government’s efforts, which were long overdue, in finally recognising the service of veterans in the Middle East.
“At our local cenotaphs in Auburn, Lidcombe, Granville and Strathfield, there is no mention of these veterans,” he said.
“We will be having a service in November and dedicating plaques at each of our cenotaphs because for many of these younger veterans who are no longer in uniform, their service goes largely unrecognised.
“We invite any of these younger veterans or their families to get in touch; we would be very happy to hear from them.”