| VIETNAM VETERANS DAY 18th AUG 2008 With gray clouds and a cooler than normal day, Veterans slowly arrived and the numbers built up and by 1100 Cockscomb Veterans Camp Inc was host to about 220 attending the 42nd Anniversary of Long Tan Day. This service is held at Cockscomb every year at 11am on the 18th Aug, be it a weekday or the weekend. The service is open to all serving and ex services, their families, our war widows and legacy ladies and the public. It is a day to remember the 504 Australians who died during Australias commitment to Vietnam. It also remembers all those who have died since Vietnam. |
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In 2005 Jason realised a lifelong dream in joining the Sydney based 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment - the Commandos. It was as a Commando that he came to serve in Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group. He was a career soldier, and the Commandos represented the pinnacle of what he wanted to accomplish. Four soldiers were wounded by small arms fire in the same action that took the life of Lance Corporal Marks |
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| At 11am Tony Dawes ex 104 Sig Sqn called the parade to attention and spoke briefly of his disgust in the handling of a MediVac which was delayed and consequencly cost another Australian his life. It would never have happened in Vietnam with 9Sqn he said. |
As Paul Copeland, Warrant Officer Class 2 (Retired) RASigs 1981-2001, Special Forces 1990-1993 wrote,
“It would appear
that even the ADF does not know of the authorized rank of SIGNALMAN.
SIG Sean McCarthy was a highly trained Communications Specialist in Electronic
Warfare within the Corps of Signals, posted to 152 Signal Squadron, SASR.
The Regiment, or even more so Special Operations Command (SOCOM) across
the range of Signals units and members under its command, nickname all
RASigs Communicators with the term of endearment of “Chook”.
This nickname is used for beret qualified
and non-beret qualified RASigs members of SOCOM. Sean was non-beret
qualified, serving in SASR. This does not make him lesser of a soldier.
Others may also be interested to know that SIG Jock Wallace of 152 Signal
Squadron was awarded the Medal of Gallantry (MG) for his actions in OPERATION
ANACONDA in Afghanistan. Jock was too a non-sandy beret member of
the SAS.
"Rest
in Peace Sean–you served your country well.”
The
Official Report released 9 Oct 2008 reads
"The Inquiry Officer’s Report into the death of Signaller
Sean McCarthy was released today. The inquiry sought to establish
the facts and circumstances surrounding Signaller McCarthy’s death
in Afghanistan on 8 July this year. Vice Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant
General David Hurley said, "Signaller McCarthy was an elite soldier,
a member of the Special Air Service Regiment, who was serving with the
Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan." "This inquiry
was directed by the Chief of Defence Force and led by an experienced officer
with the assistance of legal, medical and investigative specialists,"
Lieutenant General Hurley said. The Inquiry Officer’s Report found
that Signaller McCarthy died from massive wounds sustained when an improvised
explosive device detonated under the Long Range Patrol Vehicle he was
travelling in. The Inquiry Officer found that the Aero-Medical Evacuation
process was conducted within timings specified by the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) and agreed to by Australia. The Inquiry Officer
also found that no equipment, personnel or process contributed to Signaller
McCarthy’s death. The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal,
Angus Houston has recommended and the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel
Fitzgibbon MP, has agreed that a Commission of Inquiry into the death
of Signaller McCarthy is not required. The Chief of Defence Force has
agreed to all six of the recommendations put forward by the Inquiry Officer.
"
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Gene Owens Ex 21 Supply Platoon RAASC
followed as guest speaker keeping his speech short. |
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We must remember to thank all who made the day a success. And not only our own Veterans, but some of the outside volunteers like Jordan who tirelessly worked all day on the can crusher |
| The BBQ on the day was organised by Tony, Geoff, Alan, Dan and Jeff and of course the Veterans wives and partners. We catered for 240 peaple and not much food was left over, considering the War Widows were unable to attend. We had the jam drops and ANZAC biscuits for morning tea, BBQ for lunch and cake and custard for sweets. Along with any amount of tea and coffee, water and refreshments for those who prefered it. | |
Dan
Connollyand Jeff Morris |
5 Vietnan Veterans and 10 Associate and Support Members.
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Top Rocker |
 Patch |
| President Razor Ryan said that to become a member a person had to be a Vietnam Veteran and had to join on probation for 12 months. After 6 months and a 100% vote from existing members the new member was awarded a Top Rocker and after 12 months and again a 100% vote the patch was awarded. This group made camp behind the Dennis Murray kitchen and enjoyed their stay as much as we enjoyed having them there. The NQ VVMC go to a different town each year for ANZAC Day and Vietnam Vets Day | ||
Jeff Morris provided First Aid on the day. Jeff has been a member of Saint John Ambulance for at least 30 years after serving in Malaya Jeff arrived with a full kit for any emergency and fortunately we had a problem free day. Jeff didn’t wait for something to happen, he got stuck in with the cooks in the Dennis Murray kitchen and helped with the cooking. Thanks Jeff! |
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Jeff
Morris |
 Kevin Lawsons Grand Daughter Zoe who is only 4yrs old gave us a solo bracket of songs. |
Each year a tree is planted at the Kershaw Gardens Vietnam Memorial. This year a Acacia Chisolmii which grows well in Central Queensland was planted in honour of Jason Marks, Tom Cook and Anthony Jones The two flags represent Private Kevin Prior and Private Jim Cox who were killed in Vietnam and came from the Rockhampton area, and left to right, Vietnam Veterans - Phil Aplin, Nick Quigley OAM, Neil Brewer, Tom Platts, Robert Busch, Gardner Paul Baker and Acting Mayor Rose Swadling  |
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Congratulations to Elizabeth and Anthony Sinclair for their second baby Cooper Sinclair. 7lbs 3ozs, 53cms, brother for Kyan, 22months. and born on 25th April 2008 ANZAC Day
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| Visiting us from Jarvis Bay for the second year running
was L to R Lesley and Greg Kelleher and Barbara and Glen Maher |
Gayle and Sue teamed up and ensured the tea and coffee, cakes, buscuits, and the washing up was taken care of at the main kitchen. Gayle is Geoff Baines partner and Sue is Phil Selbys other half. Thank you girls |
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The posts around the BaMeBa and this little group found it very practicle, Darryl, Ron and Brian from Emu Park RSL. Thanks to the Emu Park RSL for a donation of a meat tray for the raffle |
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