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| Down Under |
| Australia waits for heroes' to return |
| 2005-04-05 |
| THE bodies of the nine Australian troops killed in the Sea King helicopter crash will return home today to a ceremonial guard of honour and one of Indonesia's highest medals. An RAAF Hercules carrying the flag-draped coffins is expected to land at Sydney International Airport about 3pm. The caskets carrying the six navy and three RAAF personnel who died in Saturday's crash of the helicopter from HMAS Kanimbla on the earthquake-hit island of Nias, will be met by an honour guard at the airport and some family members. Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley are also expected to be there to pay their respects. Visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will also attend and is expected to bestow medals of honour to the nine dead and two survivors for services to his country. The tragic stories of these nine young men and women - killed while helping victims of the latest Indonesian earthquake - are only now beginning to emerge. They include navy reservist Matt Davey, who had just sent his mother's engagement ring to girlfriend Rachael Henson as a surprise wedding proposal. In a moving tribute to fallen, Indonesian military officers stood side-by-side with Australian troops as the coffins were slowly carried through a guard of honour last night. They were then each blessed by a local Catholic priest before being carefully loaded on to the transport plane in the presence of a military chaplain. The bodies were flown to the Halim air force base in Jakarta before the Hercules again took off, bound for Sydney. Dr Yudhoyono and Mr Howard both laid wreaths in memory of victims at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. In a specially penned note, Mr Howard wrote: "In memory of nine Australians who died doing the humanitarian work of their nation." Dr Yudhoyono said: "They died in glory, the glory of the ultimate sacrifice, the glory of a selfless act to help the suffering of those in need. "There is no greater honour than that, and for that, the Indonesian Government will bestow on the 11 Australians medals of honour for their outstanding selflessness and sacrifice." Dr Yudhoyono said the people of Indonesia were profoundly saddened by the accident. "Let me take this opportunity to state on record our deepest condolences and profound sadness for the tragic helicopter crash which claimed the lives of nine Australians and miraculously produced two survivors," he said. "Our hearts go out to their families, and I want them to know that the people and government of Indonesia are grateful for their noble contribution in helping those who are suffering in Nias." Dr Yudhoyono said he was happy to be in Australia but had arrived with a "heavy heart", devastated by the deaths. A memorial service will be held aboard HMAS Kanimbla at 12.15pm (3.15pm AEST) today. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Mr Beazley cancelled a planned appearance today at the National Press Club in Canberra to accompany Mr Howard in meeting the coffins. |
| Posted by:God Save The World |