Commemoration marks 25 years since Australia joined Afghanistan conflict

Thousands of Australians who served in Afghanistan have been commemorated during a 25th anniversary service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and Afghanistan veteran Ben Roberts-Smith, who is facing five counts of war crime murder, but was granted permission by the court to travel to Canberra for the ceremony.Australian forces were deployed to Afghanistan in 2001 under Operation Slipper, as part of a multinational mission to combat terrorism following the September 11 attacks in the United States. Over the next two decades, more than 35,000 Australians served in Afghanistan or in support roles in the Middle East.Forty-seven Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel died and 263 were wounded as a result of their service in the country.Private Robert Poate was killed by a rogue Afghan army officer in 2012. (ABC: ADF)Private Robert Poate was one of those soldiers killed during the conflict, and his mother, Janny Poate, spoke at today's service of the families that "formed part of the story". "Families hoped every day that their partner, parent, child or sibling would return safely," she said. "We remember those families and loved ones who experienced the overwhelming loss of a family member who never came home and those who have suffered loss since."The empty places that remain and the grief that fills that space has become part of the everyday life for these families, including my own."Janny Poate, whose son Robert was killed in Afghanistan, spoke of her grief during the service. (ABC News)'A different Afghanistan' Today's pre-service included video recordings of past and present ADF members sharing their experiences of serving in Afghanistan, which became Australia's longest war. "Every person who served there experienced a different Afghanistan," Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson said."Some of you saw the very worst of war, others saw friendship, humanity, humour and moments of extraordinary courage and kindness."And some carried experiences home that they would find difficult to put into words." Those in attendance included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his predecessors Scott Morrison, Tony Abbot and John Howard. (ABC News: Callum Flinn)He said it was worth reflecting on the words of Chaplain Rob Sutherland, who once said that "perhaps we will measure success in Afghanistan differently". "Whatever conclusions are ultimately drawn by history about the campaign itself, there's one part of the Afghanistan story that to me is already clear: the great success of Afghanistan is the men and women who served there," he said. Governor-General Sam Mostyn began her address by paying her condolences to the family of Corporal Brendan Hannam, who was killed last week during a training exercise in the Northern Territory. Governor-General Sam Mostyn speaking at the ceremony in Canberra. (AAP: Lukas Coch)"Corporal Hannam served in Afghanistan, and his loss is felt well beyond Australia, well beyond these shores," she said."I'm grateful to the Chief of the Defence Force who shared with me a message of condolence sent to him from the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, who wrote the following: "Training to keep our forces ready is never without risk. Those who accept that risk every day deserve our deepest respect and gratitude."John Howard, who was prime minister as Australia joined the conflict, also attended the service. (AAP: Lukas Coch)Albanese quotes Howard in addressAlso in attendance at today's service were former prime ministers Tony Abbott, Scott Morrison, and John Howard — who was in office when the decision to send Australian troops to Afghanistan was made.During his address, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese quoted Mr Howard in explaining Australia's motivation to join the conflict. "If we left this contest only to America, we would be leaving it to them to defend our rights and those of all the other people of the world who have a commitment to freedom and liberty," he said.Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith was also among the attendees, having been granted a granted a variation to his bail conditions by the New South Wales Local Court.Ben Roberts-Smith attended the Afghanistan commemoration service at the Australian War Memorial. (ABC News: Callum Flinn)The former Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) soldier is facing five counts of war crime murder, which relate to his deployments in Afghanistan.He has categorically rejected the allegations and said he planned to fight to clear his name in court.A wreath-laying ceremony was followed by the Ode of Remembrance, Last Post, and a minute's silence. The service concluded with a flyover of a Chinook helicopter.