THANKS FOR YESTERDAY, BUT DON’T FORGET US TODAY
AFGHANISTAN war veteran Andy Cullen stood in front of more than 20,000 people at the Anzac Day dawn service at Currumbin yesterday and pleaded for the community to constantly keep watch of its heroes.
Australia lost 41 defence personnel in combat in Afghanistan, but there were 373 recorded suicides from 2001-2016 among serving, reserve and former members of the ADF.
“This is a national tragedy and we must do more to help the families of those who continue to suffer,” he said.
“My message to veterans is this: Do not lose hope. We are a unique family with an unbeatable bond through our shared service. Do not isolate yourself. Life is not meant to be done alone. It is meant to be done as a community.”
DON’T just care for us on Anzac Day, help us through all the tough days of our lives.
That was the sobering message to a crowd of more than 20,000 people at yesterday’s Anzac Day dawn service at Currumbin, who were warned the high suicide rate of returned veterans was a “national tragedy”.
In a ceremony characterised by its theme of passing the torch from older veterans to the young, Gold Coaster Andy Cullen said the annual commemoration services were tough for both himself and other returned servicemen.
While emphasising the importance of Anzac Day’s role in remembering the fallen, he said more was needed to be done to care for veterans through the rest of the year.
“Anzac Day serves as a reminder of the friends lost, sacrifices made and wounds which remained unhealed,” said the Afghanistan veteran.
“Nobody can underestimate the price which has been paid by individuals and families and the one which continues to be paid.”
The 41-year-old Tallai resident was one of the keynote speakers at yesterday morning’s packed service and directed his comments to all veterans present.
“Between 2001 and 2016 there were 373 recorded suicides in the ADF community,” he said. “This is a national tragedy and we must do more to help the families of those who continue to suffer.
“My message to veterans is this: Do not lose hope. We are a unique family with an unbeatable bond through our shared service.
NOBODY CAN UNDERESTIMATE THE PRICE WHICH HAS BEEN PAID BY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND THE ONE WHICH CONTINUES TO BE PAID ANDY CULLEN
“Do not isolate yourself. Life is not meant to be done alone. It is meant to be done as a community.
“You can get better, your life can improve. You are loved.”
This year’s commemorations marked a century since most of Australia’s World War I forces returned home after four years of conflict in Europe, as well as the 80th anniversary of the beginning of World War II.
The service also represented a passing of the torch moment, led by new RSL president Michael Humphreys who has taken over from longstanding master of ceremonies Ron Workman.
During the ceremony, the ashes of 33 Diggers, primarily World War II veterans, were laid to rest at sea off Currumbin by crew members from the Currumbin Vikings surf boats.
The burial at sea was accompanied by a piper playing Amazing Grace.
Mr Humphreys, who served in the navy for 20 years from the 1970s to the 1990s, said it was essential the public knew veterans needed to be cared for not just on Anzac Day but throughout their lives.
“Anzac Day is a time of reflection and we commemorate