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Showing posts from 2011

October Monthly Meeting

Invitation To October Monthly Meeting Thursday October 6, 2011 (Moved forward a week) Noon – 2:30 PM Special briefings by Team Australia members who are in Washington to participate in the Modern Day Marine (MDM) Exposition and Conference on 27-29 Sept 2011. And the Association of the US Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition 9-12 October 2011. Each briefing will take about five minutes. Team Australia is a collaborative initiative of the Australian Government and the Australian defence industry sector. It utilizes the complementary strengths of government and industry to provide Australian defence capability solutions to global customers. Many thanks to sub-branch member Aurelio Azpiazu for providing this opportunity. Where: Amenities Room Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW. Washington, DC 20036 Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual Valid ID required RSVP by noon on October 5, 2011 to David Ward at

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September Meeting

Notice of September Meeting Thursday 8 September Noon – 1:45 PM Guest Speaker: Mr. Richard Conlan, US Navy Museum Topic: The History of Naval Aviation Where: Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW. Washington, DC 20036 NOTE: Valid ID required Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. RSVP by noon on September 7, 2011 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to info (at) rsl-dc (dot) com Attire: Business casual Parking: There is no parking at the Embassy There is paid public parking behind and under the Airline Pilots Association (17th and Mass) and at 1500 Mass Ave NW *Arrive early as Mr. Conlan will start his presentation at 12:20 PM. Next Meeting - Thursday October 14.

Long Tan commemoration video

Here is a brief video of Last Thursday's Long Tan memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9-L9qls5gM&feature=feedlik ��

Long Tan Commemoration Ceremony 18 August, 2011

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Long Tan Commemoration Ceremony 18 August, 2011 10:15 A.M. – 10:30 AM Near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial* Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Dr. NW Washington, DC A commemorative service held at Long Tan by 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) troops, three years after the battle. * The simple, solemn, ceremony, is being kept deliberately short to enable those attending time to pay their respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall afterwards. *East of the Wall between 21st and 20th streets.) Additional Details: Seating will not be provided. There is no reserved parking. Parking on the Mall is often difficult, but visitors may find spots on Constitution Ave. or Ohio Drive. Limited handicapped parking is available at the Korean War Memorial (Daniel French Drive), WWII Memorial, and Roosevelt Memorial. The Washington Post has the following information: By Metro: From Foggy Bottom (Blue/Orange Lines), walk south on 23rd Street to Lincoln Memorial [0.9 miles]

Passing of Will Adams

Battle of Long Tan Commemoration

Commemoration of the Battle of Long Tan by RSL Washington August 18, 2011 in the vicinity of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - All are welcome. Additional details to follow. Here are two links to information on the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs Vietnam web site: http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/battle-of-long-tan_battle.php , http://vietnam-war.commemoration..gov.au/vietnam-war-myths/index.php

July Meeting

July Meeting When: Thursday July 14, between Noon and 2:00 pm* Guest Speaker: J. Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria (See below For bio) Subject: Alexandria, Virginia in the Civil War Where: Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW. Washington, DC 20036 NOTE: Valid ID required Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. RSVP by noon on July 13, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 at gmail dot com Attire: Business casual Parking: There is no parking at the Embassy There is paid public parking behind and under the Airline Pilots Association (17th and Mass) and at 1500 Mass Ave NW *The main part of the meeting, including lunch, and the presentation by the guest speaker, will take place between noon and 1:15 pm. You are welcome to remain until the close of the meeting at 2:00 pm. Lance Mallamo is the director of the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA

May 2011 Meeting

A special thank you to Sub-Branch member Gene Poteat for his outstanding presentation on the Smolensk Air Crash .

Notice of June Meeting

Thursday 9 June, 2011, Noon - 2:00 pm* Guest Speaker: Colonel Andrew Jose OBE, RAMC Subject: Advances in Battlefield Medicine Colonel Jose is the British Liaison Officer –Medical, at HQ, US Army Medical Command During 2008 he was the Commanding Officer of Camp Bastion Field Hospital, Helmand Province, Afghanistan Where: Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW. Washington, DC 20036 NOTE: Valid ID required. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. RSVP by noon on June 8, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973(at)gmail dot com Attire: Business casual Parking: There is no parking at the Embassy There is paid public parking behind and under the Airline Pilots Association (17th and Mass) and at 1500 Mass Ave NW *The main part of the meeting, including lunch, and the presentation by the guest speaker, will take place between noon and 1:15 pm. You are welcome to remain until the close of the meeting at 2:00

Gunfire Breakfast

Please note that the Gunfire Breakfast is closed. If you did not RSVP and receive a confirmation, you will be unable to attend.

April 14 Meeting - Jan Scruggs

Thursday April 14, 2011 - The Returned & Services League of Australia, Washington DC Chapter, Presents –The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center Noon - 2 pm (Arrive early as the briefing will start at around 12:15). Speaker - Mr. Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Where –Amenities room Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts, Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20036 Valid ID required. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. R.S.V.P. to David Ward on 202-352-8550 or via e-mail at dmward1973 at gmail dot com Attire : Business casual Parking: There is no parking at the Embassy. There is paid public parking behind and under the Airline Pilots Association (17th and Mass) and at 1500 Mass. Ave N.W. Biography - In 1979, Jan Scruggs conceived the idea of building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as a tribute to all who served during the longest war in American history. Today, the Vietnam Vete

Prime Minister Gillard's Visit

On March 7, 2011, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Prime Minister Gillard announced Australia’s Commitment to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center. Several members of the sub-branch were in attendance and had the honor to meet the Prime Minister as well Admiral Mullen and other dignitaries. The following links are provided for those of you who could not be there. Remarks delivered by Adm. Mike Mullen , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Honorable Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister . On March 9, 2011 Prime Minister Gillard addressed a joint session of the US Congress. Her remarks are here.

ANZAC Day 2011

What is ANZAC Day? ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day. link ANZAC Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. On ANZAC day, ceremonies are held in towns and cities across the nation to acknowledge the service of our veterans. link ANZAC Day in Washington: To mark this special occasion for 2011, the Australian and New Zealand and Embassies

2011 Board of Governors and Office Holders

2011 Board of Governors and Office Holders: President - David Gudes, Vice President - Col. Jeff Quirk CSC and Bar, Secretary - Dave Ward, Treasurer - Kurt Lee, Program Chairman - Mario Mirarchi* Legal Advisor - Bill Bennett, Selection Committee Chairman - Edward Connor. Board Members: Steve Ching, Bob Cutler, Walt Dow, Harry McAlpine, Vivian McKay, Matt Prisutti, Patrick van Rooyen, Richard Southby, Jack Szalasny, Simon Willis.

February 2011 Monthly Meeting

When: Thursday, February 10. Time: Noon to 2:00 pm Where – Amenities room Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Ave Washington DC 20036 Guest Speaker – Mr. Richard Kirkland Topic - Tales from World War II Australia Biography: Richard C. Kirkland flew 103 combat missions in P-38 and P-47 fighters with the famed “Flying Knight” squadron in the southwest Pacific during World War II. He flew one mission with Charles Lindbergh who was teaching fuel economy during the war. After World War II, Richard participated in the atomic bomb test “Operation Greenhouse.” During the Korean War he flew 69 helicopter missions rescuing downed airmen from behind enemy lines and evacuating wounded to the 8055 MASH. After his military career he was a demonstration pilot for Hughes Aircraft where he later served in a management capacity. He documented his amazing experiences in sketches and paintings. After his retirement, these were published in magazines and five book