Tanunda RSL president, Mr Trevor Klose has described the 130 plus attendance at Monday’s Remembrance Day service at the Tanunda Garden of Remembrance as fabulous with his deputy, Mr Lee Martin acknowledging the presence of the younger generations.
Mr Martin together with Father Mark Sexton, Northern Light Catholic Parish conducted the service where wreaths were laid by people including kindergarten children, Angus Work and Joel Reimann and their educator, Kaelene Borton from Stepping Stones, Tanunda and Faith Lutheran College worship leaders, Isabel Nietschke and Nikki Grosser.
Mr Martin used his address to talk about further supporting serving and returned men and women and said Australia must declare war on veteran suicide.
“We must ask ourselves why this grateful nation lets down so many servicemen and women, who on surviving the threats and brutality of conflicts and war, take their own lives on returning home,” said Mr Martin.
“Why is it that we as a nation have not been able to provide sufficient help – the services – that might have prevented all or some of the suicides of our armed forces personnel.
“Some come home heroes with renewed commitment… but some unfortunately returned damaged as a direct result of the job we ask them to do.”
He asked why is Australia ill prepared for the damaged, homecoming veteran and said if we can not find the resources necessary to support these men and women, then perhaps Australia should not put them at risk in the first place.
Mr Martin said more military personnel have died by their own hand on Australian soil and pointed out it should be safer on home soil than when they were away.
His address was poignant and asked those who attended why has the nation let down so many men and women?
Following the acknowledgement of a minute’s silence, the Australian National Anthem and the New Zealand National Anthem were sung.
