Remains Of 32 Aussie Heroes, Family Members Begin Journey Home

By Fadzli Ramli MELAKA (Malaysia), May 30 (Bernama) -- A cold morning at the Terendak Camp, a Malaysian Armed Forces' military camp in Sungai Udang here Monday, was transformed into a warm and pleasant event as about 400 Malaysian soldiers give a final salute to the remains of 32 Australian soldiers and their families who began their journey home to their loved ones residing Down Under. Also present to offer farewell and warm wishes to the soldiers and family members were Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron and Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Angela Macdonald. Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Commander Mej Gen Tengku Ahmad Noor Tuan Chik and Malaysian Army Third Infantry Division Commander Mej Gen Hasagaya Abdullah also gave their final salute. The send-off marks the beginning of a four-day 'coming home' journey for the 24 gallant heroes and eight family members, where the remains are scheduled for an official handing-over ceremony at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang on Tuesday. The heroes and family members, who died during the Vietnam War and Malayan Emergency and were laid to rest at the Commonwealth War Graves in Terendak Camp, will return to a warm homecoming at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Richmond, Sydney on June 2, in a national level military ceremony. Of the 24 Australian soldiers, 21 died in the Vietnam War and the rest in the Malayan Emergency. Currently, the remains of three Australian soldiers are at the Commonwealth War Graves as requested by their family members. 'Operation Reunites' or 'Ops Reunites' is a collaboration between the Malaysian and Australian Governments, aimed at reuniting the remains with their next-of-kin in Australia. Malaysian Army Museum head researcher Capt Muhammad Zuraiman Abdul Ghani, who was involved in the operation at Terendak Camp since day one on May 1, said the excavation at the Commonwealth War Graves for the remains began on May 4 and ended on May 21. He said the last remains were identified on May 23, adding that an official send-off for the remains on Monday marked the end of the operation at Terendak Camp. "The operation in Terendak Camp has been really great with the collaboration involving the Malaysian Army and the Australian Army, and it is also a great honour to do this for our Australian friends. "In armies all around the world, there is a saying, 'We left no man behind'...so, it is satisfaction for us when we get to send home the soldiers and famililes to their loved ones," he said. --BERNAMA