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Australian Prime Minister Meets U.S. Army Soldier from Australia

By Kevin M. Hymel, Historian on 10/25/2023

On Oct. 23, 2023, Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. He was delighted when U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp introduced him to an Army sergeant with a thick Australian accent: Sgt. Charlotte Carulli, who was born in Australia.

Sgt. Carulli now serves as an assistant media manager for the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), who are responsible for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at ANC. She explained the different places she lived in Australia before coming to the United States in 2011 and joining the U.S. Army in 2017. After twelve years in the U.S., her accent has held. All the Soldiers [notice her accent],” commented Bredenkamp to the prime minister.

As the prime minister departed the cemetery, Sgt. Carulli was a bit overwhelmed after meeting her home country’s leader. “It was very spontaneous,” she said with a smile. She credits the U.S. Army with making it happen. “I would never have gotten this opportunity had I not joined the Army.”