by Allira Preece
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AFTER returning from a four-month deployment to Afghanistan, Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant Aaron Poole said he was honoured to be able to present a memento to the Laurieton United Services Club as a token of his appreciation.
Sergeant Poole said LUSC staff sent over a number of care packages to keep troops' spirits strong and remind them of home during their overseas service.
"A few days after I arrived, I went to check out the unit recreation hut and to my surprise I stumbled on a large pile of coasters and other material with the LUSC logo and picture plastered all over them," the former Camden Haven resident said.
"It was probably the last place I expected to see anything from my home town."
During his time abroad the Australian flag was flown over the camp on January 27 and used as a basis for the memento.
The flag was framed along with the patches Aaron wore on his uniform and a coin which represented the collaboration between Australian and US forces at Camp Palomino.
"It was an honour to present the Sub-Branch with the memento as it can be hard being away from friends and family and the support from the RSL is appreciated by all of the members serving away from home."
Mr Poole said the journey to Afghanistan reminded him of how lucky he was to still call Australia home.
"The Afghan nationals live a pretty hard life in a very inhospitable place, where temperatures often get well into the 40s during summer and the minuses during winter."
He said the journey had also helped him understand the harsh conditions of third world countries and made him even more proud to serve as part of the RAAF.
"The Air Force has been a great career choice. I've made a lot of great friends and have had the opportunity to travel to a lot of different places around Australia and the World."
Mr Poole said he plans to continue a promising career in the RAAF.