Australian Air Force veterans living in Mandurah have called for a memorial at King Park, saying it is not fair that the Navy and Army are recognised, but they are not.
Justine Warren is a volunteer who visits Mandurah veterans in their homes to provide help and support.
She said it was unfair there was no memorial dedicated to the Air Force in Perth and some Mandurah veterans opted not to attend commemorations such as Anzac Day or Remembrance Day as a result.
"I've always worked with the elderly, but these ladies and gentlemen - some of the stories that they have been through - I just feel they are being left out of things," she said.
"A lot of the veterans I see don't go to the Anzac services up in Kings Park because there is only a small recognition for the Air Force on the side of the Cenotaph.
"A lot of them served in Bomber Command in England under the RAF. They don't think there is anything for them at Kings Park and they are not recognised.
"The Navy have a beautiful memorial out at Fremantle. There is a Vietnam memorial in Kings Park. There is only one memorial for the Air Force and it is out of the way over in the corner - it hasn't been looked after.
"People come from England, New Zealand other Commonwealth countries expecting there to be something to recognise them here, but there's not.
"We are the only state in Australia apart from the Northern Territory that doesn't have anything for the Air Force.
"They think they have been forgotten about."
Veteran Bob Porteous, 94, served in the Air Force for five years and said he felt there could be more recognition.
"I'd like to see something there to commemorate us rather than just a plaque on the ground," he said.
Beresford Arthur Vincent, 97, served for almost four years and said he wanted a place to pay his respects specifically to the Air Force.
"It should be all together; we all joined up to fight together, it was bloody awful, terrible," he said.
"You make good friends and all of sudden you haven't got them anymore. Ninety five per cent of mine all disappeared."
WA Minister for Veterans Issues Peter Tinley was contacted for comment.
Gareth McKnight
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
