VP Day And Vietnam Veterans Day Commemorations

Parkes Office opening hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday 02 6921 4600 or 02 6862 4560 michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.auRM8404778RM8407236Canowindra, Wagga Wagga, Cowra, Tumut and Young sales@totalag.net | info@totalag.netRM8407310Lic. No. EC6204Lic. No. EC6204RM6934997 IMAGE: Tony Campbell laid a wreath on behalf of all Vietnam Veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration.

On Friday 15th August a small group of Cowra RSL sub-Branch members and community representatives gathered at the Cenotaph to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day.

RSL sub-Branch Vice-President Lachlan Horne acted as MC for this service. In his address he recounted that on that day 80 years ago the Australian Government received the news that Japan had surrendered and that the Second World War was over. This followed the German surrender on May 8th of the same year.

A wreath was laid by Councillor Peter Wright on behalf of the people of Cowra, and by sub-Branch members on behalf of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Representatives from the Salvation Army, the Cowra Breakout Association, the World Peace Bell Association and Cowra High School also laid wreaths.

VP day was closely followed by Vietnam Veterans Day on Monday 18th August.

This commemorative service was led by RSL sub-Branch secretary Mr Vic Capare. In his address to the small gathering of Vietnam Veterans, other subBranch members and representatives of community organisations, Mr Capare outlined the roles played by Australian forces in Vietnam, and how their experiences equipped them to train the next generation of military leaders and servicemen and women.

As an example, he spoke of the service of Bunjalung man, Roy Mundine OAM, who was a member of the regular army.

He served from 1956 until his retirement in 1995. Roy served two tours of duty in Vietnam where, as a section commander he was mentioned in dispatches for his leadership in preventing further casualties. He reached the rank of Warrant Officer Class One and was the army’s first indigenous elder.

This address was followed by the laying of wreaths. Mayor Paul Smith laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Cowra, followed by Vietnam Veterans and other sub-Branch members to commemorate the armed forces and the battles of Long Tan and Coral Balmoral.

Representatives of the Salvation Army, the Peace Bell Association and the Breakout Association also laid wreaths.

The Cowra RSL sub-Branch would like to thank all those who attended these commemorative services to honour past servicemen and women and the sacrifices they made.

IMAGE: Cowra sub-Branch members at the Cenotaph after the Victory in the Pacific commemorations.