For the very first time, Wagga veterans who participated in post-1975 conflicts will be commemorated.
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The Wagga RSL Sub-Branch is hosting a ceremony this Friday to pay honour and respect all those who represented Australia in East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and other conflicts within the past 46 years.
Afghanistan veteran Nigel McMullen has spent decades attending military commemorations and said it was "a special feeling" to finally receive a day specifically honouring his own efforts.
"Most other major conflicts have their own commemoration days and unfortunately we haven't had a day of our own so I think it is awesome," Mr McMullen said.
"It's good to be recognised for our service and also to recognise those we lost in our operations and receive a general thanks from the community for that."
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Mr McMullen said the veteran group in Wagga includes well over 100 servicemen and servicewomen who fought in these recent conflicts and many will be appreciative of the chance to reflect on their achievements.
"I think a lot of them are going to enjoy having a day where they can come out, remember their friends," he said.
"It's just like we do on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, but it's a day for ourselves where we can sit back and reflect on what we did and everything we achieved."
Mr McMullen is "Wagga born and bred" which he said makes the inaugural commemoration even more special on a personal level.
Ken May, the vice-president of the Wagga RSL Sub-Branch, said the idea for the ceremony came about over a year ago during a conversation with some of the Riverina's young veterans.
"About 12 to 18 months ago I was talking to a few of the younger veterans we have from East Timor and Afghanistan and realised that they are not commemorated in any specific way," Mr May said.
"We thought rather than adding five or 10 separate commemorations why not just have one that covers everything from 1975 to today."
Mr May said the inaugural ceremony will provide recognition for the young veterans, acknowledging those that participated in conflicts and deserve to have their efforts appreciated and reflected upon.
The ceremony will begin at 11am on Friday, October 22 at the cenotaph in the Victory Memorial Gardens in Wagga.
It will include an introduction and speeches, followed by prayers and a performance of The Last Post.
Those who attend are being asked to arrive by 10:30am.
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