An inaugural memorial day in Logan will commemorate the “unsung heroes” who served in lesser-known conflicts since the Vietnam War.
The first local Middle Eastern Veterans and Peacekeepers Day will be held on Saturday 14 September, aiming to provide post-Vietnam veterans a day to connect and reflect.
Local digger of almost 14 years Matthew Woo, who was deployed to East Timor and Afghanistan with the Royal Australian Regiment, said the commemorative day was important.
“To have a day to commemorate those of us that served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in theatres of war and peacekeeping post-Vietnam War is humbling,” Mr Woo said.
“Veterans of all conflicts Australia has been involved in since the Boer War to Vietnam have days dedicated to the different conflicts or major battles – days they can sit with their mates that shared the same hardships and reflect.”
He said the Middle Eastern Veterans and Peacekeepers Day would provide those who served in warlike operations or on peacekeeping missions the same opportunity.
“It gives people an opportunity to remember and commemorate those who served and those who never came home,” he said.
Mr Woo, the president of the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Motorcycle Club at Kingston, said it also gave locals the opportunity to learn about Australia’s military involvement in the world since Vietnam.
“People know of our involvement in places like East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan,” Mr Woo said.
“But there were other places that Australia deployed: Somalia, Rwanda, Namibia, Cambodia to name a few.
“They need to be recognised and remembered as well.”
The day was devised by the Greenbank RSL sub branch.
Branch president Stuart Rae said plans for the day of tribute had been in motion for about a year.
“As a sub branch, we celebrate most veteran days, but there are unsung heroes out there who have fought for the country, been around the devastation, put through what other veterans have been put through, but they don’t get the recognition,” he said.
Mr Rae said the day would be on the second Saturday of September every year.
“Most are younger veterans who are still working, so the families are always home on that day,” he said.
The event will start at 11am at the memorial gardens, followed by refreshments and finger food.
