Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Another, sadly, another: another brave Australian digger has fallen in Afghanistan with the death of Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, a deserved recipient of the Medal for Gallantry; another life has been taken far too soon—Corporal Baird being just 32 years young; another solemn ramp ceremony; another heart-wrenching funeral service to follow; another flag to fly at half-mast; another Anzac Day on which his local community and others too will pause and reflect on the fact that he laid down his life for his friends and greater love hath no man than this; another hero and proud Australian; another name to be added to the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra where, as its founder Charles Bean so poignantly noted in part, 'Here is their spirit in the heart of the land they love'; another red poppy to be placed alongside that gallant name signifying his link to the Anzac spirit to pay the ultimate price in the service of this nation, his nation, in the pursuit of freedom; another tree to be planted in the Avenue of Honour memorial at Lake Tinaroo, at Yungaburra, north of Cairns, which was coincidentally unveiled on Saturday by the Prime Minister and opposition leader barely an hour before Corporal Baird's tragic death; another soldier, the 20th of the Special Operations Task Group, to die in combat in Operation Slipper; another reminder of the ever present dangers those who place their lives on the line each and every day face as part of their call to duty; another wonderful family and group of friends left to grieve forever more; another time when those at the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka near Wagga Wagga in the Riverina will be left to mourn such a terrible loss; another reason why Corporal Baird's sacrifice and that of the 39 other courageous Australians who have gone before him must never be forgotten; another cause to say with heartfelt emotion, lest we forget.

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