The post below was originally delivered at a memorial service for four American Army soldiers killed in Deh Rawud district in June 2011. The soldiers were from the 4th Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment which the soldiers of Combat Team – Charlie, Mentoring Task Force -2 were attached to for the last part of our tour.

What a strange day, some may think, that an Australian stands addressing Americans at a service for their fallen. But in reality, this is nothing new, nothing strange. It has been this way since the dark days of the First World War and will be forever more. In that war, it was the Diggers of the Australian Imperial Force who were chosen to work with the Doughboys, the GIs, of the United States Army prior to their first battle on the Western Front. They trained and worked together, and then on the 4th of July 1918, they crossed the Line of Departure together and went forward into what became known as the Battle of Hamel.

Since that day we have stood together in every theatre of war. Most recently when the Jackals mourned the loss of our own soldiers, Apache and Comanche Companys stood side by our side. We do so with you now as we remember the fallen of Comanche Coy 4^th Battalion 70^th Armored Regiment: Sergeant First Class Alvin Boatwright, Staff Sergeant Edward Dixon, Staff Sergeant Alan Synder, and Specialist Tyler Kreinz.

And while at this time there may be great sadness, as a famous American General said, we should not mourn their loss, but thank God that such good men lived. That we were part of their lives.

Just as in years to come we should not remember how they died, but the courage and valour demonstrated by the young Americans and Australians in firstly trying to rescue their comrades, and ultimately, terribly, to recover their bodies. Of the many acts of bravery we have seen and witnessed in our tour, the efforts of all of those soldiers stand among the best. For it is easier to be brave in a situation you have trained for, and that much harder when faced with the unexpected. It is an honour and a privilege to serve with such men.

On behalf of all Australians, not just those standing here, or even only those in this country now, I offer our thanks for the lives of Boaty, Dicko, Synds and Tyler. Our condolences and prayers to their comrades and their families, and a hope for better days ahead for us all.

I promise you all now that these men shall not be forgotten by us, their names shall be written with our own in our honour roll. As part of them will forever be in Afghanistan, know also that when we leave this country in a few short weeks, that part shall also travel to Australia with us, honoured and remembered.

Lest we forget.