Private Benjamin Ranaudo, a brave Australian killed in action in Afghanistan
While the top dog of the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, was announcing a change to the rules of engagement for our troops in Afghanistan yesterday, one of our finest was being sent home from that theatre of war in a coffin.
Private Benjamin Ranaudo began his final journey to Australia after being killed by a bomb on Saturday (July 18) while on operations north of Tarin Kowt.
The 22-year-old Townsville-based soldier was a member of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and, when killed, was part of the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) in Afghanistan.
Please excuse the jargon: Private Ranaudo was killed by an improvised explosive devise (aka IED) several hours after 4 Section, 2 Platoon occupied a security position during a cordon and search in the Baluchi Valley.
The cordon and search, according to a media release from the ADF, “was designed to disrupt a known IED facilitation and logistics node which had been responsible for attacks on coalition forces”.
Private Ranaudo’s mates from the MRTF-2 yesterday sent him off the only way they knew how: with dignity, honour, common sense, humour and respect.
Seeing the footage on the television last night after earlier having watched Houston promise a more open and transparent reporting system in the defence force was, quite frankly, jarring.
Let’s talk about transparency. And let’s begin with what our soldiers need.
What these men and women on the global front lines of wars, conflicts, insurgencies and peace keeping missions (oh yes, we have soldiers keeping the peace in foreign fields that are as dangerous as battlefields) need to know is that they will be supported – at ANY cost – while ex-country. But equally, perhaps more importantly, once they return home.
No cost is too high to support the soldiers (and I include RAN and RAAF personnel) we send in to harm’s way for whatever purpose, for however long, for whatever reason.
They need to know they will be supported upon return, no matter how wounded, how scarred, how damaged they are. Or not. And they must be supported for life. No matter the cost. It is our duty as a nation; after all, we call on them to defend our country in any circumstance and we don’t limit the parameters.
Members of our defence forces need to know that their families will be properly and fully cared for.
That their wives, husbands and children will be looked after. For life.
That their immediate and on-going financial obligations will be taken care of. No strings attached. Again, for life.
Families are important. They support soldiers when they’re away. They write letters. They make phone calls. They send emails. They Skype. They keep the home fires burning.
And they are there when they return. They help our soldiers pick up the pieces, deal with what they’ve been through, and chart the unknown courses ahead. Sometimes they do nothing, but doing nothing is what’s required: they are just there.
Defence force families are silent, they are hidden from public view, but do what ever they can, whenever they can. And yet, so often, they are forgotten. Collateral damage.
We should not forget them. We must not forget them. Our government has an obligation to ensure we do not overlook them.
Yesterday was a day that could only be described as wretched for Private Ranaudo’s family, yet, with unspeakable dignity they issued this statement as their slain soldier was sent home. It speaks volumes about the character of the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, partners and children of those who put their lives on the line for our nation.
It is important that you read this and acknowledge the enormous loss felt by Private Ranaudo’s family. It is our nation’s loss, too.
Here’s what they said:
Firstly we would like to say how proud we are of our son. Benjamin was a proud solider. He believed in what he did. It was more than a job it was his passion; his life.
He was a son, a brother, a comrade, a life partner. His smile could light up the darkest of days. Ben touched the lives of so many with his warm heart. His strong spirit carried his family and friends through his absence and it will carry them through their loss.
Our heart goes out to the injured solider and his family.
We thank the nation for your kind words and condolences. The response has been overwhelming. We would also like to thank the Defence Force for their support in our time of need; they have been both professional and compassionate.
To Benjamin’s comrades, our support is with you. You have lost a friend and a brother. You are all in our hearts.
We send our support and prayers to all the men and women serving here and overseas keeping our country safe.
Please let’s not let Benjamin’s death, and the death of the other 10 soldiers be in vain.
This is selflessness. This is character.
This is why: Lest we forget.
Lest we forget.
