Recognising their Sacrifice

Our 25 year campaign to recognise the sacrifices of our Australian Defence Force members and their families has been highly successful, with the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal agreeing in 2022 to support recognition for members and families of members of the Australian Defence Force who are injured, wounded or killed in or as a result of service. That recommendation comes in the form of medallic and emblematic recognition:

a) a Memorial Clasp – to be posthumously awarded to a member of the ADF or a veteran who dies in or as a result of service. The Clasp is to be attached to the Australian campaign or service medal most relevant to the circumstances in which the death occurred and bearing, at the discretion of the veteran’s family.

b) a Gratitude Clasp – to be awarded to a member of the ADF or veteran who is seriously wounded, seriously injured or suffers a serious injury in or as a result of service. The Clasp is to be attached to the Australian campaign or service medal most relevant to the circumstances in which wounding or injury occurred and bearing, at the discretion of the veteran (or family where posthumous recognition is sought).

c) a Memorial Star – A full size brooch-like emblem of a uniquely Australian design that recognises the sacrifice of the family of a member of the ADF or veteran who dies in service or whose death is service related;

d) a Gratitude Star – A full size brooch-like emblem of uniquely Australian design to recognise the sacrifice of the family of the member or veteran who has suffered a serious wound, serious injury or serious disease in or as a result of service; and

e) for veterans awarded the Gratitude Clasp, a lapel pin of separate and appropriate design for everyday wear at the discretion of the veteran.

_____________________CALL for ACTION ______________________________ 

FEB 2022 Update:

As the Australian Government draws near to making an historic decision around the varying categories that will honour those individuals and their families, the question of retrospectivity has become a talking point. Just how far back do you think the award of the 'Memorial clasp' for those Killed-In-Service to Australia should go?

PLEASE TAKE THE POLL: https://www.defencelivesmatter.com/thepoll

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We invite you to write to the Minister of DVA to express your support for OPTION 1.

The Hon. Andrew Gee MP
Minister of Veteran Affairs
Email: andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au

Example:

"I thank the Australian Government for recognising the sacrifices made by our ADF members and their families. I understand the Minister is considering the decision to recommend varying categories of medallic recognition according to the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal Report. I would especially like the Minister to support recognition for the "Memorial Clasp" to be awarded from as early as the Sudan Campaign (3 MAR 1885) when the very first Australian died in service and to recognise 100% or 102,911 Australians killed in campaigns such as: WW1, WW2, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan etc 

*Be sure to sign your name, address, contact number, email address, date.

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About the Petitioner

Warrant Officer Class 1 (Rtd) Kerry Danes, CSM. 

Our Numbers
Original petition at Causes.com has over 31,543 signatures. 
https://www.causes.com/causes/204480-australian-national-campaign-recognising-defence-members-first-responders-killed-in-service

Combined we have close to 55,000 signatures supporting this campaign (as at 22/04/19).

Background (History): https://www.defencelivesmatter.com/killed-in-service
Video explaining the 25 year campaign: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155483511523441