Afghanistan Service Recognised In NZ Post’s Modern Veterans Stamp Series | Scoop News – Scoop

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Eight years of service with
the New Zealand Army, including three deployments to
Afghanistan, has made Ange Coyle passionate about supporting
the wellbeing of her fellow military
veterans.

Originally from Auckland’s North Shore,
the Rangitoto College alumnus is one of six veterans
featured in NZ Post’s latest stamp release, which aims to
dispel the notion held by many New Zealanders that all
veterans are old.

Those profiled in the stamp series
served on overseas deployments from 1995 onwards, and all
have been awarded theNew Zealand Operational Service
Medal. This honour is given for service that exceeds the
normal requirements of peacetime service and involves a
credible military threat from the enemy’s military,
insurgents or other hostile forces.

Ms Coyle joined
the NZ Army in 2006 as a signaller and later specialised as
an electronic warfare operator. She served in Afghanistan on
three occasions between 2008 and 2011.

She’s lived
in Wellington since being posted there 11 years ago. Ms
Coyle left the Army in 2014 and joined the Department of
Corrections, where she has been leading a veterans project
which aims to support both staff and prisoners who have
served.

Having experienced first-hand some of the
difficulties some veterans can face when transitioning out
of service into civilian life, Ms Coyle is committed to
supporting the wellbeing of others – whether they work
alongside her or across the public sector, or have entered
the criminal justice system.

“When I transitioned
out of the Army, I didn’t really see myself as a veteran,”
Ms Coyle said.

“I didn’t wear my medals on Anzac
Days and didn’t realise I was struggling with some parts of
civilian life. It wasn’t easy asking for help but I’m
pleased I did.

“I would like veterans from my era to
be proud of their service, to walk in an Anzac Parade
feeling like they belong – and if they need support, to ask
for it.”

The other veterans profiled in the stamp
series are former Royal New Zealand Navy personnel Rebecca
Brierton and Vance Leach, former Royal New Zealand Air Force
members Kelley Waite and David Bennett, and former NZ Army
member Ben Peckham. They are among more than 42,000 living
veterans who have served New Zealand.

Head of
Veterans’ Affairs Bernadine MacKenzie said the stamps were a
great way to showcase some of the nation’s younger
veterans.

“This provides a wonderful opportunity to
show New Zealand the sort of people who have served our
country in situations that are often difficult and dangerous
– and it’s a way to show how proud we are of
them.

“Regardless of how old or young veterans may
be, when they need our support – we will be here for
them.”

Find out more about these veterans at www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/stamps

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