Slain soldiers honoured in moving ceremonies
War victims return to loved ones
THE bodies of the three Australian soldiers murdered by a rogue Afghan solider were returned to their families and colleagues during a moving ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley yesterday.
The bodies of Lance Corporal Stjepan “Rick” Milosevic, Sapper James Martin and Private Robert Poate were received by an honour guard before their caskets were carried from an RAAF aircraft to their loved ones.
The soldiers were gunned down inside a patrol base in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan province last Wednesday.
At RAAF Base Richmond, west of Sydney, the bodies of Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald and Private Nathanael Galagher, who died in a helicopter crash in Helmand province on Thursday, were returned to their loved ones in an emotional ceremony.
Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General David Morrison, who attended the Brisbane ceremony, praised the fallen soldiers, each of whom was “outstanding in their own right”.
“Their loss has been deeply felt across the Army and I offer my heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and colleagues,” Lt Gen Morrison said.
“These men’s commitment to their chosen career as soldiers and to our mission in Afghanistan was unwavering, as was their loyal- ty to their mates and their love for their own families and their Army family.”
Lt Gen Morrison said troops on the ground in Afghanistan remained committed to their mission.
He said while the debate about Australia’s role in the strife-torn country was normal in a “great democracy such as ours”, the ADF would not be buying into it.
In Sydney, ADF Chief General David Hurley expressed his condolences to the families of the five fallen soldiers.
“Today we receive home five Australian soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” he said.
“The thoughts and prayers of the entire defence community are with their families, friends and colleagues on this very difficult day.
“We are indebted to these men for their courage.’’