MINISTER FOR DEFENCE COMMEMORATES ANZAC DAY IN AFGHANISTAN
Senator the Hon John Faulkner
Minister for Defence
25 Apr 2010
MIN34/10
Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, commemorated Anzac Day today in the company of Australian troops serving in Afghanistan.
In an address at the Dawn Service Senator Faulkner said: “The sacrifices you, and your families and loved ones have made in the service of Australia, are many.
“On behalf of the Australian Government I thank you, as I know the Australian people thank you, this generation’s heirs of the ANZAC tradition, for your service and your dedication.
“That dedication to Australia is matched by Australia’s pride in you.
“You have done a magnificent job. You have done Australia proud. You have proved once again that the ANZAC legend is not an old and dusty legend, but a common thread that runs from Gallipoli to Tarin Kowt via the fields of France, the jungles of New Guinea, via Burma and Timor, Korea and Vietnam.
“It is the thread of men and women such as yourselves stepping forward to accept the risk and bear the responsibility for our nation’s security, upholding the best traditions of Australia even in the worst of circumstances.
“Let me especially remember the eleven Australians who have paid the supreme sacrifice here in Afghanistan,” Senator Faulkner said.
Senator Faulkner spent time with troops at the base at Tarin Kowt, including participating in the traditional gunfire breakfast.
Media notes:
A copy of the Minister’s speech will be made available at www.minister.defence.gov.au/faulkner/speeches.cfm
Vision of the Service will be fed to the Canberra Press Gallery shortly.
Imagery will be made available www.defence.gov.au/anzacday/2010/gallery/20100425u/index.htm
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Media contacts:
Colin Campbell (John Faulkner): 02 6277 7800 or 0407 787 181
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664