Reflections on decades of service
Redcliffe Hospital’s Cassady Distel-Rose has served as an Army Reservist for more than 20 years.
This Anzac Day, communities across Australia will come together to remember the sacrifice and spirit of the Anzacs, 110 years after the Gallipoli landings.
Anzac Day has special significance for Redcliffe Hospital Allied Health Assistant and Army Reservist of more than 20 years, Cassady Distel-Rose.
“I was a bored young man, unsure of my next steps when the military came calling,” Cassady said.
“My dad took me to an Army open day, it seemed liked an exciting new experience and I signed up.”
20-years later and having been awarded a recognition of service Australia Day Medallion by the Department of Defence, Cassady shares his experiences.
“During my time serving, I’ve been deployed overseas in peacekeeping capacities and been involved in many domestic operations, including disaster response,” he said.
“These days I mainly instruct on land combat modules, initial employment training and I am a small arms instructor.”
His army career has exposed Cassady to the full spectrum of humanity.
“Mateship is the best thing about the Army experience,” he said.
“You bond over experiences that most people will never encounter.
“During my time serving, I’ve seen both the best and the very worst of what humans are capable of doing to each other.”
Cassady is attached to the 9th Battalion, which was the first to arrive on the shores of Gallipoli in 1915, which adds to the solemn nature of Anzac Day for him.
“I will start Anzac Day by attending a dawn service,” Cassady said.
“It’s a day to pay tribute to those who served before us and allowed us to have the freedoms we enjoy in Australia today.”
“Later in the day, we will gather, have a few drinks and reflect on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and are no longer with us.”
Thank you to Cassady for sharing his experiences and to everyone in the Redcliffe Hospital community who has served.
To the Metro North Health staff who have served and continue to serve, thank you for your commitment and dedication to creating a safer and healthier world for us all.
To those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the values and freedoms we hold dear – Lest We Forget.