ADFA assists at ceremonies

MIDN Sally Malone leads OCDT James Casey and OFFCDT Lauren Rebbeck to place poppies in the Hall of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial.

By Officer Cadet James Casey
The sky may have been grey and threatening above the Australian War Memorial, but the mood was certainly much brighter at the special wreath laying ceremony held for veterans from eleven aged care facilities across Canberra to commemorate ANZAC Day.

A record number of veterans and their families gathered to pay their respects for those who had fought overseas and in particular those who lost their lives serving the nation.
Army OCDT Ilana Napier led over 50 Midshipmen and Officer Cadets from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in assisting the veterans and war widows.

A highlight of the ceremony was the laying of red poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The poppies were given to each person, gathered on silver trays and laid on the Tomb by MIDN Sally Malone, Army OCDT James Casey and Air Force OFFCDT Lauren Rebbeck, while the Last Post sounded.

The old sailors, diggers and airmen treated the younger generation to a few yarns and perhaps a tall tale or two, with their mates alongside recalling the same events as if they were yesterday.

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