IN the lead-up to ANZAC Day, Federal Member for Calare, John Cobb, is encouraging everyone to reflect on the courage of the men and women who have served in our name.
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This ANZAC Day there will be approximately 2,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel deployed overseas. This is comparatively fewer than in previous years due to the completion of missions in East Timor and the Solomon Islands, and the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan.
“This ANZAC Day, in recognition of the increasing numbers of recently returned Australian veterans, I encourage anyone in Calare looking to make a lasting contribution to ADF personnel and their families to consider donating to one of the many Ex-Service organisations dedicated to supporting Australia's serving men and women,” said Mr Cobb.
Donations can be made to Legacy (www.legacy.com.au/donate) or Soldier On (www.soldieron.org.au/donate-now/ to support those personnel who have been wounded on operations and those family members who are suffering financially and emotionally from the death of a loved one.
Mr Cobb said anyone can send an email message to Australian troops, which are widely circulated and appreciated by deployed defence members.
Email messages can be sent to supportthetroops@defence.gov.au and should include your name, suburb and state at the top of the email message.
Please note the content of the email, not the personal details of the sender, may be published on defence websites and social media sites so the message reaches more ADF members and their families.
Mr Cobb added that as Australia approaches the Centenary of ANZAC, it’s important to continue to recognise the contribution of the local veteran community, whether it be through overseas service or on the home front.
“In recognition of the recent drawdown of Australian Defence Force personnel from Afghanistan, the Certificate for Appreciation program has been extended to recognise these brave men and women alongside their predecessors,” Mr Cobb said.
Available under the Saluting Their Service commemorations program, Certificates for Appreciation are available to those who have served during the Second World War (both in the armed forces or as civilians on the home front), with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) Japan, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan and during peacekeeping operations.
Certificates for Appreciation are also available as a lasting legacy to the family of deceased eligible veterans and civilians.
For information about Certificates of Appreciation and how to apply visit www.dva.gov.au or contact your nearest Department of Veterans’ Affairs office on 133 254.