The role of animals in the military has changed much in the past 100 years, but they still serve and are still a vital part of operations, at home and abroad. The purple poppy lets us acknowledge their service and their sacrifices.
In the Great War of 1914-1918 animals filled a place that today is taken by technology. Dogs ran communication cables across battlefields; camels, donkeys and horses carried wounded to safety and men to battle; and pigeons fed vital messages to front line soldiers. Sadly back then animals rarely returned home with our troops. Today thankfully, animals that survive the conflict, are repatriated to Australia.
This year the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) opened the first war animal memorial at Pozieres on the Western Front trail to recognise animals from all nations involved in the Great War. The AWAMO team are also active in creating and erecting memorials across Australia.
To support the work of AWAMO and to promote the recognition of war animals, a new series of purple poppy gifts are available.
The collection, created by BrandNet in Canberra, was recently released and has been widely adopted by traditional red poppy fundraisers for the coming November Remembrance Day. It is also available online.
As well as creating memorials the AWAMO also trains and provides assistance dogs to help members of the armed forces and emergency services battling PTSD. Queensland police dog handler, Nigel Allsopp, who started AWAMO in 2009, says he and his volunteers can only train about six Greyhounds each year but would like to do more. With your support, they will be able to.
War animals is a great cause, and one young and old can support. Buy your Purple Poppy keepsake at your local Remembrance Day fundraiser or online today.
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