Below is a copy of an email received from
Graham Anderson OAM JP
National Secretary
Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia Inc.
Yesterday I fulfilled a special wish on my ‘bucket list’. We travelled to Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands to visit the ‘Avenue of Honour’ a very moving memorial to those who lost their lives serving in Afghanistan.
As I expected this is a very special place situated overlooking Lake Tinaroo.
CLICK ON IMAGES FOR CLEARER PICTURES
Leading to the memorial there is a long pathway lined with Flame Trees, the whole area is beautiful and manicured. While we were there paying our respect to young men who gave all there was a lady moving down the avenue of trees picking up fallen leaves by hand … she does this every day.
She told me she did it for all their mates, who if they were able, would be here ensuring the memorial to their mates was always immaculate. I asked her what her name was, but she said that’s not important. We walked away and she kept moving down the avenue picking up leaves.
A very moving experience that I commend to anyone up this way.
The Afghanistan Avenue of Honour
The Afghanistan Avenue of Honour is a living memorial dedicated to the memory of all who served in the fight against terror in Afghanistan and to those brave and selfless Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom and liberty.
The Avenue symbolises the final journey home of the fallen, and preserves forever the gratitude and respect the nation bestows on all those to whom we owe a debt… that can never be repaid.
The Avenue follows the path of fallen Commando Ben Chuck’s Gun Carriage, July 1st 2010, and symbolises the ‘final journey home’ of the Fallen.
A plaque representing each fallen soldier is placed on an ‘Honour Board’ in close proximity to the Memorial. The landscape surrounds give visitors the opportunity to pause and reflect and a place to pay their respects. The emphasis of the Avenue is directed to the living, natural, free, open aspects of the trees, stunning location, pristine water views and the enhancement of the existing picturesque environment.
For more information including location, history, honour roll and events, go to www.avenueofhonour.com.au/
Afghanistan Avenue of Honour.
