Legacy is the charity that provides personalised support and services to the families of veterans of the Australian Defence Force who have given their health or lives for their country. The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 is a 6-month campaign to pay homage and acknowledge veterans’ families, saluting their sacrifice. It will begin in France on Anzac Day April 25th 2023. The torch will travel over 50,000 km, through 100 stops, carried by approx. 1,500 torch bearers. Hoping to raise funds for future veterans families affected by injuries or loss of a parent.
Nathan Sawan, a 16-year-old student at Taylors Lakes Secondary College, will bring the torch home in the finale, carrying the undying flame for the last one-kilometre stretch to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on Friday 13 October.
Speaking of his participation in the Torch Relay, Nathan said:
“I am so honoured to be choosen to be a Torch Bearer and to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event, 100 years of Legacy. My father has helped bring peace to nations all across the globe and I am very proud of him. However the cost has been unbearable, sadly he has lost a lot of his army mates during service. My father lost 18 SAS mates in one incident in a helicopter crash. I am so lucky to still have my father, but he has many scars from losing his mates during service for our country. I have met some of his friends Partners who are raising the children without their fathers and it is very tough. Many never got to meet their unborn child. I was chosen to be the youth ambassador torch bearer to represent the children of the younger generation of Veterans. There are many injured Veterans like my father from the peacekeeping missions that have taken place over the past 3 decades. They are too young to be incapacitated, but this is the sacrifice they make for all of us.Without their services we would not be here today. Their sacrifice has given us our freedom. Freedom from Wars, Terrorism, Natural Disasters, invasions even Rescuing hostages. Their is alot of threat that civilians never know about because of the highly trained and selfless defence we have in place.Our veterans have our back. Don’t forget them when they fall for us. Please show them our gratitude and support by giving to Legacy for this amazing centenary event. Let’s never forget.”
Families at Nathan’s school are being invited to donate to the Torch Relay via the school office, and anyone can donate via the Relay website.
We hope to bring you a photo of Nathan carrying the torch in a future issue of Parents Voice.
2 Responses
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