Invitation to attend the Australian Peacekeepers Commemorative Service
The 68th Australian Peacekeepers Commemorative Service is to be held at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial site on ANZAC Parade, Canberra, on Monday, 14 September 2015, commencing at 11 a.m.
2015 also marks the 20th Anniversary since the end of the ADF contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR). The service and sacrifice of those who deployed on this challenging and dangerous mission will be acknowledged with UNAMIR veteran AIRCDRE Tracy Smart providing the key address.
All Peacekeepers, past and present, and all those wishing to attend are invited to the service to remember the personal sacrifice of not only UNAMIR veterans, but nearly 90,000 Australians who have given of themselves in the service of Peace. Attending guests are invited to lay wreaths and a small morning tea will be held after the service.
A proud Peacekeeping history
Australians have been undertaking peace operations for over 68 years and were part of the first United Nations peacekeeping deployment to the Dutch East Indies in 1947. Since then, approximately 90,000 Australians have been deployed on more than 60 peacekeeping missions around the world.
Many of our Peacekeepers have served on multiple missions and often in different roles as military, police and civilians. Unfortunately, Peace is not easily established or maintained, Australians have given their lives and many more injured and traumatised on such missions.
The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial
The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial will recognise the difficult and dangerous work that Australian military, police and civilian Peacekeepers have undertaken around the world to protect civilians and assist with the development of a peaceful environment in countries emerging from conflict or disaster.
The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial will represent Australia’s ongoing commitment to international peace and security as well as a focal point to remember and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of so many Australian Peacekeepers over many years.
With the aim of completing the memorial in time for the 70th anniversary in 2017, the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Committee, with the full support of the Chief of Defence Force and AFP Commissioner, are raising funds to complete construction of the impressive peacekeepers memorial which will permanently honour the sacrifice and service of so many members over the last 68 years. Further information and tax deductable donations can be made at www.peacekeepingmemorial
