Anzac Day: Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Afghanistan withdrawal marks end of ‘another chapter’
Scott Morrison declares ‘another chapter closed’ in Australia’s Anzac legacy as crowds honour service | PICTURES, VIDEO
Australia’s impending withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan marks the closure of “another chapter” in the Anzac legacy, Scott Morrison has said.
Delivering a solemn Anzac Day address at a Dawn Service held at Canberra’s Australian War Memorial on Sunday morning, the Prime Minister gave thanks to all whose selflessness had helped make their country “what it is today”.
As the nation woke to watch and attend services across Australia, Mr Morrison made special mention of those men and women who served throughout the nation’s “longest war” in the Middle East, the last of whom will soon be coming home.
He said they were “the bravest of this generation”.
“This Anzac Day another chapter in our history is coming to a close, with the announcement last week of our departure and that of our great friend and ally, the United States, from Afghanistan,” he said.
“Australia has been a steadfast contributor to the fight against terrorism. It’s been our longest war.
“The world is safer from the threat of terrorism than when the twin towers were felled almost 20 years ago. But we remain vigilant.
“However, this has come at great cost. Forty-one Australian lives lost in Afghanistan, whom we especially remember and honour this morning.
“More than 39,000 Australians have served on operations in support of Australia’s mission in Afghanistan, many carrying the wounds and scars of war, seen and unseen.
“They are the bravest of this generation.”
The Prime Minister remembered Sergeant Andrew Russell – the first Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2002 – who died when his patrol vehicle struck an anti-vehicle mine.
Sergeant Russell was just 33 and left behind his wife Kylie and his 11-day-old daughter Leisa, who is now studying at university.
“Kylie says she is, in so many ways, just like her Dad – she lives with a strong sense of duty,” Mr Morrison said.
He also honoured the memory of Sergeant Brett Till, tragically killed while trying to disarm an improvised explosive device in 2009.
Sergeant Till, already a father of two, was at the time expecting his first child with wife Bree.
“Their child Ziggy will be in high school next year, and I know Brett would be so proud of all his three children and the amazing job Bree has done to raise them,” Mr Morrison said.
He said the support of families had sustained our soldiers, sailors, aviators, nurses, padres and peacekeepers, and had also had to “shoulder the burdens that follow service too”.
Also receiving special praise this Anzac Day was veteran Sergeant Ricky Morris, a member of an Aboriginal family with more than 20 members who’ve seen active service over the decades.
“Ricky says “every medal tells a story” – whether it’s worn over the heart of a veteran or carried by one of their loved ones,” Mr Morrison said. “And that matters so much, especially today.”
In his speech, the Prime Minister said although the Anzac story began on the beach at Gallipoli 106 years ago, it was born in the houses, farms, towns and suburbs across the country.
“It’s in those places that selflessness, duty, respect and responsibility were learned,” he said.
“Where love of family, the community and country is warmed and is kindled in the youngest hearts and the oldest minds.
“It is also where the pain of loss is felt most acutely.”
DAWN SERVICES HELD ACROSS NATION
Dawn Services have taken place across the nation as hundreds of thousands of Australians prepare to march on Sunday morning to commemorate Anzac Day in 2021.
After coronavirus restrictions effectively resulted in most Australians paying their respects at home or in their driveways last year, the nation has responded strongly with crowds allowed back in 2021.
Many services and marches across the country exhausted their ticketed allocation within days of going online, while Queensland events are set to proceed without crowd limits.
Temporary fences erected to manage crowds at Melbourne’s Dawn Service did not deter those who missed out on tickets from gathering outside the service area.
Members of the public have encircled commemorations at the Shrine despite pleas from authorities to “light up the dawn” at home.
Although there was ample space inside the forecourt of Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, many stood watching from outside the fenced off area.
The Dawn Service in Victoria was limited to 1400 attendees amid COVID-19 restrictions. In 2019 it’s estimated about 25,000 attended.
In Perth, services were cancelled but many turned out to mark the occasion with driveway vigils at dawn.
A ticketed Dawn Service was at capacity at Sydney’s cenotaph, while in Brisbane, large crowds turned out without restriction.
The decision to limit Dawn Service crowds has caused some upset, however, with 85,000 permitted to attend the AFL’s traditional Anzac Day match later today.
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