PAUL Young and Brent Anschaw have had vastly different military careers, but on Monday they experienced the same emotion as their names were added to Wagga’s roll of honour in the Victory Memorial Gardens.
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Both said they felt humbled when they read their names on new brass plaques that commemorate Wagga people who have had active military service since the Vietnam War.
The pair were among 37 people who were recognised for service in peace-keeping missions and in Somalia, the Gulf War, East Timor, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.
About 200 people were at a dedication service for the unveiling of the plaques, a project that cost $12,000.
“It’s so great to see so many returned service men and women and other members of the local community here and being so supportive,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Young.
Colonel Young, 38, joined the Australian Army in Wagga as a recruit soldier in 1997 and marched out from Kapooka.
He has had active service in Afghanistan, East Timor, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, and currently works in Army headquarters in Canberra.
Colonel Young’s father, Bob, served with the Royal Australian Air Force during the Vietnam War, and was at the dedication service.
“I was looking for an exciting career that would give me opportunities to travel, and I have had a wonderful career with multiple tours overseas, wonderful experiences and life-long friends,” Colonel Young said.
Petty Officer Anschaw has had to make many personal sacrifices for his active service.
He was aboard HMAS Darwin in the Middle East in 2014 when his daughter, Olivia, was born, and had to leave four months after the birth of his son, Harry, in 2016.
The son of Liz and Kerry Anschaw, Petty Officer Anschaw was educated at Mount Austin public and high schools before enlisting in 2001.
“I felt very humbled when I saw my name on the plaque,” Petty Officer Anschaw said.
“I did not realise the significance of it until I saw it there.
“It hit home.”
Wagga RSL sub-branch committee member David Gardiner put two years work into the latest roll of honour additions.
“I have received many emails from the people we honour today saying that it means so much to them,” Mr Gardiner said in his speech.