|
On ANZAC Day it is important we recognise the sacrifices made by those who have served Australia and New Zealand’s military.
One of the under-represented elements of ANZAC Day is celebrating current members and our veterans who have served over the past 50 years.
Australia’s strategic environment is at the most uncertain point since World War Two this is based on strategic competition, the war in Ukraine, attacks in the Red Sea, the war in Gaza and the ongoing extremist threat domestically.
This requires the Australian Defence to maintain the highest level of training for all possible contingencies. There have been five training deaths over the past 12 months experienced in the Special Operations Commands (SOCOMD) since July 2023, showing the real dangers our Officers and soldiers face even in times of no conflict.
The men we lost were Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon from the 2nd Commando Regiment and members from the 6th Aviation Regime; Captain Daniel Lyon, Corporal Alexander Naggs, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent and Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock.
We pay our respects to these courageous men who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country; leaving behind devastated family members, friends and fellow soldiers who have lost a father, husband, son, and mate.
The Commando Welfare Trust remains committed to providing these families with long-term financial support to alleviate the stress of living without a partner or a father.
The brave men and women who currently serve in our military undertake extremely dangerous training exercises that play a critical role in securing our national security.
The intense training and lifestyle our service members face also have a detrimental effect on their mental health.
New research conducted for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research:
Additionally, there are current serving members who will be spending this ANZAC Day deployed in military hot zones.
For this reason, even in times of peace, we must pay homage to the sacrifices our current serving members make for our country.
Secondly, we must commemorate those who have served over the past 50 years. These soldiers faced a new type of combat and experienced horrifying circumstances. By making these sacrifices they not only fought for our freedom but stability for people subjected to violent regimes.
In Afghanistan, we lost 47 Australian soldiers and experienced 261 casualties. Sadly, we are on track to lose more men to suicide who have served in that war than we lost in conflict.
Furthermore, between 1997 and 2021, there were 1,677 certified deaths by suicide among severing and former defence members.
Organisations like the Commando Welfare Trust exist due to these tragedies. We still provide emergency and long-term financial support to the soldiers, and their families, who have served in these conflicts long after they are over.
It is an unfortunate fact that the Commando Welfare Trust was founded in 2010 out of necessity after SOCOMD experienced a significant number of casualties in Afghanistan. We provide an additional safety net for Special Operations families when disaster strikes.
Since 2002, SOCOMD has taken 50 per cent of casualties in training and operations, while facing a disproportionate amount of the conflict.
Since our inception, the Command Welfare Trust has looked after 127 recipients of soldiers who have been wounded or killed in operations and training.
The trauma of losing a loved one or living with a debilitating injury/mental health condition creates daily challenges that can last a lifetime. Yet, despite the many funding, grant or entitlement options available, these Australians often fall through the cracks.
We provide support to the family where the existing services available are unable to.
As it stands, we are supporting 47 beneficiaries and are helping with the education of over 35 children.
Please sign up for recurring donations so we can continue to serve this community and share this testament with your friends/family to raise awareness about this community of Australians who have given so much for our country.
Lest we forget the past, present and future Australians who have served our country and take the time today to reflect on the sacrifices they make.
|