July 11 marks the inaugural Middle East Area of Operations Commemoration day, dedicated to Australians who lost their lives between 2001 and 2021 and those who served alongside them.
Dubbo veterans gathered to commemorate Australia's involvement in conflicts across the Middle East between 2001 and 2021.
"Isolation is the demon, especially in the country where there's big properties and people can hide themselves away," said Afghanistan war veteran and Dubbo RSL president Shaun Graham. "It's very hard for someone to come out of that hole once they put themselves into it and that's why we really try and extend the hand of friendship to all those that serve, no matter the circumstance. We really try and engage and look after people," he said.In response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, Australian military personnel were deployed to various campaigns across the Middle East between 2001 and 2021.
He said being almost 10 hours away from his comrades made Anzac and Remembrance Day feel lonely and disconnected.Things changed when he joined the local RSL sub-branch. "We've got people now in their 20s in the RSL locally in Dubbo and surrounds being a part of it because we all went through similar circumstances, not only in operations but training," he said.
Veterans Wars Middle East Area Of Operations Commemoration
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