Operation Slipper Welcome Home parade marks end of Afghanistan commitment
Chief Petty Officer Damian Tawlenko with wife Michelle and sons Cristian, 7, and Darcy, 21 months. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams
Three tours of duty in Afghanistan have taught Chief Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko the value of family and the Australian lifestyle.
"I've learned I'll never take anything for granted again," CPO Pawlenko said at the Welcome Home parade in Sydney on Saturday, which marked the end of Operation Slipper.
He marched with the navy contingent, watched by wife Michelle and sons Cristian, 7, and Darcy, 21 months.
Families of Defence personnel who died during Operation Slipper lay wreaths at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams
About 9000 army, navy and air force personnel, Australian Federal Police and Public Service employees marched through the city, taking the same route along George Street as veterans will take in five weeks to mark the Centenary of Anzac.
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Operation Slipper proved to be Australia's longest military operation, stretching from 2001 to 2014. It saw 34,500 Australians deployed to Afghanistan.
The families of the 41 Australians killed in Afghanistan during the operation were guests of honour at the ceremony.
Sergeant Derek Isted with his children Andrew, 18 months, and Tiana, 10, in Hyde Park. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams
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Operation Slipper Welcome Home parade marks end of Afghanistan commitment