Vietnam Vets with Illawarra
21 April 2024 / Steve and Maree Eccleston
Yesterday, 20th April, Sydney Chapter joined Illawarra members for a ceremony to mark the coming observance of Anzac Day. The event was very respectfully organised by Tony Cox, from the Illawarra Chapter and a Vietnam Veteran himself, to recount and observe the life of Private Ian Thompson of Thirlmere who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1968. The Thompson family were also present for the ceremony which graphically brought home the sense of loss felt by all families of serviceman and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The service was also attended by club members, Graham Fletcher, Phil Donnelly and Gary Keyvan who either served themselves or in Gary’s case had a family member who also served. Our group was then invited to a beautiful morning tea at the Thirlmere RSL, which was generously provided by the Thompson family and other members of the RSL.
Tony then had also arranged a visit to a military vehicle museum at Bowral run by Vietnam Vets and volunteers followed by a lunch in an adjoining café run by a Vietnamese family.
Thank you Tony for your service and organising such a very thoughtful day of Remembrance.
Lest We Forget
