A serviceman from the local area who perished in Afghanistan has had his name included on their town's memorial list.
Rory Malone was just 26 when he was shot by insurgents in Baghak in 2012.
He had just carried his wounded commanding officer to safety when he was fatally shot in the chest .
The Minister for Veterans, Chris Penk, mentioned that many people turned out to pay their respects as he visited his hometown of Riverhead in Auckland.
Several locals who knew about the event joined forces with fellow veterans from around Auckland, including members of the Point Chevalier RSA, as well as those keen on ensuring his service is remembered — making for an incredibly poignant homage to the young man witnessed at today’s gathering.
Penk said it was important to hold such events, even when it's a few years since the tragedy happened.
Compared to the First World War, this period is more recent, naturally. The First World War, as we know, lent its name to Anzac Day due to the Gallipoli campaign. However, regrettably, our service personnel still find themselves in harm’s way and fulfilling their duties, with the heartbreaking reality being that they occasionally make the supreme sacrifice.
Therefore, with Anzac Day approaching shortly, I trust that when we recite these words, they hold significance for both today’s younger generations and those from times past.
Malone was a member of the New Zealand provincial reconstruction team, and in 2015, he was posthumously honored with the Gallantry Medal for his courageous act of selflessness.
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