Parramatta RSL Sub Branch Flags Fly Proudly in Afghanistan
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 1st December, 2009
Parramatta RSL Sub Branch Flags Fly Proudly in Afghanistan
Parramatta RSL Sub branch is proud to have their flag flying in Afghanistan.
The smaller Australian National flag marked “SB” standing for Sub Branch has been flown in various task forces. The flag has been flown and carried by an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle call sign Two Five Mike on operations with Combat Team – Bravo as part of Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force Two in the Province of Uruzgan, Afghanistan from August to November 2009.
The flag was also flown on patrol and at Forward Operating Base Ripley (Kamp Holland) in Tarin Kowt and Patrol Bases Atiq and Buman. The flag has even been hung inside in the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle callsign Nine Zero Bravo and carried in the Dutch Coalition Force Scania Truck callsign Lima One.
Warren Glenny, President of Castle Hill RSL Group said, “We are so very proud to have Parramatta RSL Sub Branch flag being flown in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are continually with the brave soldiers serving in Afghanistan and their families.”
Maurice Green Sub branch President said, “My sub-branch and I are extremely proud to have made life a little easier by supplying comfort packages to some of our troops on Active Service in Afghanistan. The Australian Flag we supplied to WO2 Kim Beasland was flown on his armoured vehicle whilst deployed, a proud moment for us all in the league.”
The soldier featured in the photos is one of our sub-Branch members at Parramatta. The flags were sent to him with the express purpose of flying them whilst on Active Service. His wife did the same whilst recently deployed on Active Service in the RAAF
Kim Beasland Warrant Officer said, “After nearly 5 months operating in theatre the importance of the most insignificant things becomes heighten to most soldiers. Care packages from home become a focus and the contents shared amongst those receiving parcels from home less often than others. Even the smallest of creature comforts increase in appreciative value up to ten fold.
None more so than the ANF sent by the Parramatta RSL Sub Branch soon after my arrival. Until the amendment in local policy the flag was flown from or carried in a variety of vehicle types both on active patrol and at Patrol Bases across the Area of Operations. In fact the arrival of the flag prompted others to similarly fly or carry flags sent from families and organisations such as the South Australian Police Service in either their vehicles or in and around their accommodation. The interest in the flag generated by other members of
the deployed group was easily over shadowed by that shown by the coalition forces operating with the Australians. The Dutch, part from the taste they developed for RSL sponsored ANZAC Biscuits, took an active interest in the philosophy of the RSL to the extent that some enquired as to their eligibility to become members of such a worthy organisation. It was gratifying to notice that the men from the Netherlands took the time to read the biscuit packet and the inscription describing the RSL concept as opposed to consuming the contents and discarding the wrapper.
You can be most rest assured that the pride outwardly demonstrated by the members of the ADF from all three services in flying our national Flag has not been diminished by the remote and harsh conditions under which they now serve and my thoughts and best wishes go out to those mates who remain on operations.”
Media Contact:
Melanie Morson
Group Marketing Manager Castle Hill RSL Group
Phone: 8858 4818 or 0419 461 454
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)