FIRE BASE CHERRY TREE WALK  

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VIETNAM WAR MEMORIALTHE CHERRY TREE WALK

This Page is in Memory of:-

VIETNAM VETERAN DOUG VAINSAAR

DIED 10th May 2002

Served in Vietnam under surname of SARAPUU.

units 12 Field Regimant, Artilery and 4RAR.  

Doug and I were only friends for a short while but he was a great mate and he is sadly missed.

LEST WE FORGET

Tony with Dougs Photo in Frame. This was placed on the Monument before the Parade started and remained their till it was completed.

This Image was taken at the 2002 Parade at the Vietnam War Memorial The Cherry Tree Walk.

Doug attended the Parade the year before, when the photo was taken.

   

 This is an image taken after the Parade on 2001 when I planted the tree in honour of my mate Mick Towler.

Mick was KIA on 12 June 1971 in Vietnam while serving with Task Foce D&E Platoon, after serving a full year's tour with 7RAR, in A Company.

 

 

 

THE IMAGE Above; SHOWS THE LEFT TWO NAME MONOLITHS BEARING FOUR OF THE EIGHT NAME PLATES. THE TWO FRONT ONES ARE FROM A-B THE BACK ONE IS B-D. The right hand Panel is number 5

 

THE IMAGE Left Above; SHOWS THE FIRST OF THE RIGHT HAND PANELS.

THE OTHER IMAGE IS THE NEW GATES FACING BOWRAL ROAD. IN THE BACKGROUND CAN BE SEEN THE FLAG POLE THAT IS CLOSE TO THE MEMORIAL.

  

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 THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 "WE WILL REMEMBER",

a few words to contemplate:-

It was an ordinary day, but a special evening sitting on the banks of Wollongong Harbour with the vista before us of the Mountains on the left and the boats gently swinging at their moorings in the harbour and the blue ocean beyond. With a very warm breeze blowing it was very pleasant end to the day, a special evening. 

With the sights and sounds of kids playing, people power walking, or just strolling along the water front, we tucked in to our modest meal of hot chips, my wife and two of our grandchildren, i marvelled at the peace; tranquillity and views that if you were the richest man in the world it would not be possible to buy the effect.

No voices raised in anger, no one shouting curses, no one throwing rocks, no one firing rubber bullets or tear gas being fired in to the happy crowd of people, no sound of AK47 rounds zipping overhead. How easy to forget what we have in Australia on a day to day basis.

 Each year on ANZAC DAY we honour all those who gave all so that we who live in this country have the freedoms so few enjoy, even today in the new century. I reflected on the thanks we give on that day to those who we owe so much, and again thought it is possible to thank them every day.

To THANK those that did not return to this fabulous country, and those who left it and after their Service to return, their life and that of their family, never to be the same.

 By THANK YOU, i mean to live life to the full and enjoy all the country has to offer every day, from the freedom to discuss what ever we like on the net, to the great people we all know either as family or mates and every thing in between.

To make the most of every day, to enjoy the riches of a country that so many died and suffered so that we would not have to.

Add to that if you ever meet a Veteran it would be such a simple thing to shake their hand and say "G'DAY and Thank You"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To  Go to MEMORIAL PAGE on Number 1 site. Use site address below & click on the Memorial Image - shown on right

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