The families of the victims of the Sea King helicopter crash in Nias lit candles for their loved ones at a National Service of Thanksgiving on Friday April 15, at Parliament’s Great Hall, Canberra.

One by one, families of the nine dead defense personnel lit solitary candles beneath pictures of their lost loved ones killed during the humanitarian mission.

Among those attending were Prime Minister John Howard, Governor-General Michael Jeffery, Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, Defense Force Chief General Peter Cosgrove and the heads of all arms of the defense forces.

Prime Minister John Howard said that he had previously met a number of the troops who died in the accident on his last trip to Indonesia.

Mr. Howard said their efforts in helping another country and serving Australia gave comfort as to the future of Australia.

Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Imron Cotan said Indonesia had faced a series of natural calamities in recent months. Through it all, Australia had been alongside helping Indonesia cope.

“We are here this morning to pay our greatest respect to the finest men and women in uniform of Australia who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to help others,” he said.

Some information for this report was provided by AAP.