For those that are left behind carrying the scars of war, be them your own or your loved ones, I want you to know that your sacrifice also matters.

Without you, they couldn’t have done what they did. They couldn’t have answered the call, put their lives on the line for a better tomorrow, for people they don’t even know.

I want you to know that your loved ones\’ service in any operation, in any war, mattered, and it matters. It is families and spouses that know how much defines a person, how much they give and have given. But to the women of Afghanistan in particular, they gave more than we could ever imagine.

Renee Wilson, CEO AWW NSW

View Renee\’s full message here.

AWW NSW is here to support members, veterans and their families. If you need support, please contact us on (02) 9267 6577 or guild@warwidowsnsw.com.au

The post A message from my veteran family to yours first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Considering the transpiring situation in Afghanistan, Australian War Widows NSW (AWW NSW) calls on the veteran community and their families to support each other during this time.

The war in the Middle East has affected so many civilians and profoundly changed the lives of over 39,000 Australian Defence Force personnel, the 41 Australians who lost their lives and the some 261 officially listed as wounded during that service.

At this time, those who carry the burden of war are left questioning their service, their work, and their legacy.

Chief Executive Officer AWW NSW, Renee Wilson urges veterans and members to “Reach out to a mate, to a friend, to your family, to me, to AWW NSW, to the RSL, to Legacy, to Solider On, to Mates4Mates, to Open Arms, to your GP”.

“As a spouse of an Afghanistan veteran severely wounded and not expected to survive, I have met many women, men and children, just like me, who bear their own burdens of war and whose service and sacrifice go largely unspoken”, says Wilson.

In her opinion piece, Renee Wilson speaks of how all who served in Afghanistan did our country proud and gave so much to the civilians: girls who are now women are educated; civilians experienced a life free of the Taliban, and civilians gained skills they never had before. Their service and devotion transformed many civilian lives.

AWW NSW offers immense gratitude and respect to the Afghanistan veterans and to their families. They have sacrificed their lives, relationships, safety, mind and soul.

AWW NSW is here to support members, veteran and their families and ask our members to check in on each other.

For more information, contact:

Renee Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Australian War Widows NSW

Jennifer Collins, Chair, Australian War Widows NSW

(02) 9267 6577

17 August 2021

The post Media Release – Australian Veterans of Afghanistan first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.