ID :
186311
Fri, 06/03/2011 - 13:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/186311
The shortlink copeid
Mourners say decorated Digger a humble man
SYDNEY (AAP) - A true warrior is renowned for his valour in battle.
As a decorated Australian soldier, Commando Sergeant Brett Wood was also remembered for his humility.
Mourners gathered at St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney for the 32-year-old digger's funeral on Friday, almost a fortnight after he was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
A coffin draped in the Australian flag and white lilies was carried into the Anglican church shortly before 2pm (AEST) on Friday.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and outgoing Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston were among the mourners who paid their respects to the 24th Australian digger to die in Afghanistan.
In his 15-year career, the Gippsland-bred soldier toured Afghanistan three times and served in East Timor and Bougainville.
But to his wife Elvi, her soulmate of six years was simply a man who did not want to be defined by his achievements.
"He introduced himself as just an ordinary guy," she told mourners.
"One of his most frequent expressions was: `No big deal'.
"To put it simply, he just wanted to be known as `Brett'."
Elvi Wood recalled how Brett swept her off her feet on the first day they met and became her soulmate.
"He completed me. He made me a better person. He supported me and inspired me and he made me laugh," she said.
She revealed how they shared their deepest and darkest secrets and accepted each other for who they were.
"Brett and I dreamed together, we hoped together and we dared to plan a future together," she said.
"In these dark days, I have no comfort.
"My heart is heavy with the knowledge that each new step I take, it is without you by my side."
Fellow soldier Jamie Zimmermann recalled meeting Sergeant Wood 15 years ago when they crossed paths at an enlistment training session at 6RAR.
The men later became close friends and enjoyed discussing property and talking shop as they walked the dog.
"We laughed, we drank, we spoke about our favourite topics and occasionally we were told by our wives to tone down the army and property talk only to bring it up moments later," he said.
"We also shared thoughts about our future, his future with Elvi and the life he planned to live.
"I saw Brett as a mate you would grow old with."
The slain soldier was posthumously awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal at his funeral on behalf of the American commander of forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus.
It came less than five years after he became the first commando to be awarded the Medal for Gallantry for bravery against insurgents in Afghanistan.
Presenting the US Meritorious Service Medal at the funeral, a commanding officer from the fallen soldier's 2nd Commando Regiment described Sergeant Wood as a true warrior.
As a decorated Australian soldier, Commando Sergeant Brett Wood was also remembered for his humility.
Mourners gathered at St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney for the 32-year-old digger's funeral on Friday, almost a fortnight after he was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
A coffin draped in the Australian flag and white lilies was carried into the Anglican church shortly before 2pm (AEST) on Friday.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and outgoing Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston were among the mourners who paid their respects to the 24th Australian digger to die in Afghanistan.
In his 15-year career, the Gippsland-bred soldier toured Afghanistan three times and served in East Timor and Bougainville.
But to his wife Elvi, her soulmate of six years was simply a man who did not want to be defined by his achievements.
"He introduced himself as just an ordinary guy," she told mourners.
"One of his most frequent expressions was: `No big deal'.
"To put it simply, he just wanted to be known as `Brett'."
Elvi Wood recalled how Brett swept her off her feet on the first day they met and became her soulmate.
"He completed me. He made me a better person. He supported me and inspired me and he made me laugh," she said.
She revealed how they shared their deepest and darkest secrets and accepted each other for who they were.
"Brett and I dreamed together, we hoped together and we dared to plan a future together," she said.
"In these dark days, I have no comfort.
"My heart is heavy with the knowledge that each new step I take, it is without you by my side."
Fellow soldier Jamie Zimmermann recalled meeting Sergeant Wood 15 years ago when they crossed paths at an enlistment training session at 6RAR.
The men later became close friends and enjoyed discussing property and talking shop as they walked the dog.
"We laughed, we drank, we spoke about our favourite topics and occasionally we were told by our wives to tone down the army and property talk only to bring it up moments later," he said.
"We also shared thoughts about our future, his future with Elvi and the life he planned to live.
"I saw Brett as a mate you would grow old with."
The slain soldier was posthumously awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal at his funeral on behalf of the American commander of forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus.
It came less than five years after he became the first commando to be awarded the Medal for Gallantry for bravery against insurgents in Afghanistan.
Presenting the US Meritorious Service Medal at the funeral, a commanding officer from the fallen soldier's 2nd Commando Regiment described Sergeant Wood as a true warrior.
