A POEM written to honour Australian troops in Afghanistan has been praised by Cr Allan Smith and his son-in-law, Australian Army Warrant Officer Shaun Graham, who has completed two tours of duty in the country.
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The Dubbo Community Men's Shed raised $300 to send 15 two-kilogram gift boxes for serving men and women, last week.
The money was used to buy personal items like lip balm, nut bars, Anzac biscuits, salted peanuts and magazines to fill the boxes.
Among other things, each box also contained a touching poem about Australian soldiers serving their country.
The poem was written by shed member Frank Doolan (Riverbank Frank) who said he sat by the river and pondered how it would feel to be serving in Afghanistan.
Cr Smith said both he and his son-in-law "choked up," at hearing the poem read out by Frank.
"We were very touched by it, Frank is so articulate and he expressed it so well."
Australian Heroes
Behind enemy lines
In the dark of night
When mere mortals like myself
When we'd cave in to fright
When your training kicks in
And you do the things you do
Don't ever think you're alone
We are there with you
There are a lot of Aussies with you
There are lots who know you care
There are people who feel proud
To see Aussie diggers there
To all our Australian soldiers
Every woman, every man
To me you are the finest
From a sunburnt timeless land
I could never imagine
The horror of war
But I know our Aussie diggers
They'd protect our shore
They'll go wherever they are needed
These defenders of the free
They're fighting for Australia
Fighting for you and me