Many thanks from a grateful nation.
RIP
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Many thanks from a grateful nation.
RIP
at the going down of the sun and in the morning with will remember them. lest we forget.
"Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down his life for his friends."
~John 15:13~
Body of digger returning home
Sunday, July 10, 2011 » 05:07am
The body of fallen Australian soldier Sergeant Todd Langley is returning home from Afghanistan.
Australian Commando Sgt Todd Langley was farewelled by colleagues and friends at a memorial service and ramp ceremony in Afghanistan on Friday.
After the memorial service, Sgt Langley's casket was led through an honour guard of soldiers, the Australian Department of Defence said in a statement on Saturday.
The casket was then placed into a waiting C130 aircraft to begin the long journey to Australia.
'Sergeant Langley will return to his family and friends in Australia over the coming days,' a statement by the department said.
The 35-year-old was killed in action on July 4, during a Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and Afghan National Security Forces operation targeting insurgents in Helmand Province.
He was the 28th Australian soldier killed while serving in Afghanistan since 2001.
Colleagues and friends at the service, which was held at Multi National Base Tarin Kot, said Sgt Langley was a natural leader.
Commanding Officer of the SOTG, Lieutenant Colonel G (who cannot be identified for security reasons) said he was brave and humble.
'He fought with bravery, distinction and valour,' Colonel G said.
'He fought in the knowledge that he was making a real difference for the people of Afghanistan,' he said.
'Todd never sought praise, preferring instead to let his actions do the talking.'
'For many of us, time seemed to stand still at that dreadful moment when we learned of his death.
'For all who have come to know and love him, especially family and friends, his passing will be difficult to reconcile.'
Air Commodore John Oddie, the acting commander of Australia's military contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, said Sgt Langley will remain an inspiration.
'Todd will now occupy a special part in our nation's history. The years will come to pass, but one thing is for certain, he will never be forgotten,' Air Commodore Oddie said.
'As we return to operations, Todd's legacy will serve to inspire us all, he always led from the front.
'His mates will now step up, follow his example and honour his sacrifice.'
Sgt Langley was honoured in a ceremony within the SOTG compound, surrounded by colleagues from the 2nd Commando Regiment, the Special Air Service Regiment, the Incident Response Regiment (IRR), other ADF representatives and members from Coalition Task Forces.
A 26-year-old Australian soldier killed by a roadside bomb while on an early morning patrol in Afghanistan has been identified as Private Matthew Lambert.
Private Lambert was a member of the Mentoring Task Force - Three and was from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) based in Townsville, North Queensland.
He was the eighth soldier to die this year and the 29th of the decade-long war.
The Defence department said Private Lambert, who was married, was born in Kogarah, NSW, and enlisted in the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment in August 2005, transferring to the Australian Regular Army in February 2007. he was posted to 2RAR in Townsville.
He was described as a well-respected soldier who excelled in any task he was assigned, and was looking forward to serving his country in Afghanistan.
Private Lambert has been awarded the following honours and awards: Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terror, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor - Leste, Australian Defence Medal and the Timor – Leste Solidarity Medal.
The chief of the Defence Force, David Hurley, said last night that Private Lambert was patrolling in Oruzgan province with Afghan soldiers at 2.30am when what is believed to be an improvised explosive device went off.
He was evacuated to the main Australian base at Tarin Kowt but died shortly afterwards.
The incident took place in a district called Khas Uruzgan, which is about 85 kilometres from Tarin Kowt and one of the most violent districts in the province.
Another coalition soldier was wounded at the same time, but General Hurley would not disclose his nationality.
The dead soldier was stationed at a base called Anaconda, which was a United States special forces base.
General Hurley said the Australian soldier was a ''respected member'' of the Townsville-based 2nd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment who was on his first deployment to Afghanistan but had served previously in East Timor.
''The soldier's colleagues described him as a man who excelled at any tasks he was assigned and a soldier who was proud to serve his country,'' General Hurley said.
''On behalf of the Australian Defence Force I offer the soldier's family and friends my deepest sympathy.''
The Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, said that while the death was tragic he believed Australian forces were making progress in Afghanistan and that they were on track to hand control of the province over to Afghan security forces by 2014.
''We believe what we are doing in Afghanistan is in our national security interests and also in the international community's interests, helping to stare down, as it does, international terrorism,'' Mr Smith said.
The last Australian soldier to die was Sergeant Todd Langley, a decorated member of the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment, who was killed early last month in a firefight with insurgents while uncovering a weapons cache.
Private Lambert, 26, becomes eighth Digger to die this year
Read more: Private Lambert, 26, becomes eighth Digger to die this year
Stand again and be silent, another brave man has died for us and our beliefs,
stand tall, stand proud, repeat his name out loud.
mourn and console his family and friends.
Mourn his loss, but honour his sacrifice
Gone to stand in the company of the brave soldiers who preceeded him
Lest We Forget
RIP mate
Lest We Forget
Rest in Peace, Mate.
Each death is tragic, with far reaching consequences for many people in the community, but, if I may, I would like to relate an experience I had in 2009, during a TIP course run by the DVA for future Welfare Officers in the DVA system. One lecturer, a very experienced man in the field of Veterans Welfare, stated that at that point in time, it was calculated at least 80% of Servicemen employed in the various war zones had problems coping with their experiences, which could have serious implications in the years to come.Even when they all come home, it won't be over for them, or their families. LEST WE FORGET Bob
* Salutes*
* Rests*
G'Day All.
A Good mate produced the attached study on better Debrief options.
Comments from present and Serving Members are appreciated. PM for privacy and minimal thread hijack.
Dave