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The
day we stood as one
AS
a Military Skills Instructor with No. 24 Squadron (City of Adelaide)
at RAAF Base Edinburgh, I was honoured to be a Colour Escort at
the recent Air Force Memorial Dedication Parade in Canberra.
I was somewhat nervous about the challenge as I didn’t even
know how to do present arms with a Steyr.
Previously I was in the PAF for seven years – four as a clerk
supply and three as a GSI. All my training was done with an SLR
and I also taught recruits how to do drill with this weapon. This
added to the pressure I put on myself to achieve a high standard.
More than 32 Colours, Squadron Standards and Governor-General’s
Banners were paraded. This was the first time since 1996 that all
the colours had been paraded.
All the people involved were glad to be chosen and didn’t mind
the long hours of practice needed to get it right. It didn’t
matter whether we were Permanent Air Force or Reservists, we were
there for one reason – to make our country proud.
And we did.
We went out on a warm day and stood proud with all the other colour
parties with our heads held high. The Governor-General, Prime Minister
and CAF were present with many war veterans and retired Air Force
personnel who had come out to share this historic moment. And we
stood and paraded our colours with honour.
The memorial was shining in the sunlight with the images of the
Air Force in all its glory, of times past and present, showing plainly
for all to see.
I may not be in the PAF now but I helped make history along with
the seven other Reserve squadrons represented at the dedication
parade.
On that day there was no difference. We stood together as one.
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