It hits home for those on deployment
ON the eve of Anzac Day, the thoughts of Iraq- based Major Timothy Hurley are with his family.
“I’d like to give my wife Kate and our daughters Poppy and Mabel all my love,” he told the Bulletin.
“I am very much looking forward to reuniting with you all soon, and I trust Poppy will do a tremendous job laying a wreath at the Anzac Day ceremony at Oonoonba State School.”
Maj Hurley is the commanding officer of Training Squadron One, Task group Taji 6. His home unit, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, is based in Townsville.
This is Maj Hurley’s second deployment – he served in Afghanistan in 2010 as a cavalry troop leader with Mentoring Task Force One.
In his role in Iraq, Major Hurley said he commanded and controlled a team of highly experienced trainers who assisted in the development of Iraqi instructors at the Iraqi Army Non- commissioned Officer Academy at Taji.
“I also have a force protec- tion element provide security and protection to our trainers on a daily basis,” he said.
With the biggest day on Australia’s military calendar today, Maj Hurley reflected on what it meant to him.
“Anzac Day holds significance for all Australians and New Zealanders, and I am no different,” he said.
“For me personally, it is a day to reflect on the great sacrifices made in all conflicts during our relatively short national history.
“It is a chance to pause and remember those who did not come home, and think about the families who have been forced to bear such terrible burdens. Having lost a few good mates on operations, I think about how hard it is for their loved ones to endure such heartbreaking loss.
“The stoicism they show on a daily basis is something I find remarkable and worthy of reflection.”
While in Iraq, the taskforce will commemorate Anzac Day at a dawn service and breakfast.
“I think soldiers enjoy being on task on Anzac Day, as they are contributing – albeit in far less perilous and dangerous circumstances,” Maj Hurley said. .
“It is particularly special as we are working alongside our New Zealand counterparts, just as we have done throughout our military history.”
Maj Hurley has been deployed for about five months and has about a month left.
He’s hoping to be home for his eldest daughter’s sixth birthday in June.
“It is always difficult to be away from home, but if I was to be deployed on any day, it would be Anzac Day,” he said.
“Missing first days of school, Christmas and birthdays are hard, but I think that our soldiers enjoy being on operations, particularly with their New Zealand mates, on Anzac Day.”