The Returned and Services League of Australia, Washington, DC

Members and Friends of the R&SL, It is my sad duty to inform you that Life Member, and 1988 President, RADM Ralph M. Ghormley (USN retired), of McLean Virginia, died on the evening of Sunday October 7, 2012. Additional details will be provided  as they become available. Sincerely, Dave Ward

When Thursday October 11, 2012 Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities room Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts, Ave., Washington, DC 20036 Guest Speaker – COL Dr. Richard Southby, Vice President of the Washington, DC Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia is Executive Dean and Distinguished Professor of Global Health Emeritus at George Washington University. Topic - Some Perspectives on British Military Medicine in the 19th Century Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual Photo ID essential for entry RSVP by noon on October 10 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973@gmail.com 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 3. Bio Summary: Dr. Richard Southby, Vice President of the Washington, DC Sub-Branch of the Returned and ...

A special thank you to Bernard Edelman of the Vietnam Veterans of America for his insightful talk on the nature of heroism.

Invitation to the Battle of Long Tan Commemoration Ceremony 18 August, 2012 10:15 A.M. Near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial* Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Dr. NW Washington, DC The simple, solemn, ceremony is being kept deliberately short, at about 20 minutes, to allow attendees more time to pay their respects at the Wall afterwards. * The wreath will be placed at the Wall immediately after the ceremony. (South East of the Wall between 21st and 20th streets.) There is neither reserved parking nor any seating. The RSL is grateful for the assistance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in obtaining the event permit.  http://www.vvmf.org/ Why Long Tan?  “In 1987 Prime Minister Bob Hawke designated 18 August as Australia’s official Vietnam Veterans’ Day. The date commemorates the [1966] Battle of Long Tan, during which Delta Company 6 RAR fought an ‘encounter’ battle against enemy forces in the Long Tan rubber plantation just a few tho...

Here are some Australian and New Zealand resources on the Vietnam War, including the Battle of Long Tan:   http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/ http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/images/long-tan/diagram-of-battle-stages.pdf http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/battle-of-long-tan.php A recent documentary about the Battle of Long Tan: http://www.battleoflongtan.com/ A version of today's PowerPoint presentation: https://skydrive.live.com/view.aspx/Long%20Tan%20Dave%20Sabben%20Presentation/LongTan-Presentation-Dave-Sabben.pps?cid=7a5f7e0b9a293e9e&sc=documents New Zealand in the Vietnam War: http://www.vietnamwar.govt.nz/

Fellow members and friends, It is with regret that I have to inform you of the passing of two members, Stephen T. Ching and John Gilbert Henry. 2004 President Captain Stephen T. Ching of Amelia Island, Fl., passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2012. There will be a funeral service on Thursday July 12, at 11:00 AM at Burgess Chapel at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, Fernandina Beach, FL followed by interment at 1:00 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville FL.   http://www.oxleyheard.com/obituaries.php Longtime member John Gilbert Henry,  of "Journeys End" Copes Mountain, Colga, Sligo, Ireland, passed away  on Thursday, June 14, 2012. He reposed at the Foley & Mc Gowan Funeral Home, Market Yard Sligo on Friday Morning from 9-30am and removed at 10-30am to St. Columcille's Church, Rathcormac for Mass of the Resurrection at 11am. Funeral afterwards to Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harolds Cross, Dublin. http://www.rip.ie/death_notices_detail.asp?N...

Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 Notice of July 2012 Meeting When: Thursday July 12, 2012 Time:    Noon to 2:00 pm Where –Amenities room                 Embassy of Australia                 1601 Massachusetts Ave                 Washington DC 20036 Guest Speaker:  Gene Poteat, President, Association of Former Intelligence Officers Topic:  The evolution of the CIA Covert Action  Charge: $15.00, including sodas. Alcoholic beverages, $2.00 each. Volunteers: As usual, we need a volunteer (or two) to run the bar. RSVP (Include your affiliation) by noon on Wednesday July 11, 2012, to David Ward by calling 2...

Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 June Newsletter This newsletter includes details of the monthly meeting, the commemoration of the Bakers Creek Air Crash, the Down Under Barbecue, and links to photos taken during ANZAC Day in Washington and the May 10 monthly meeting.   Monthly meeting: Memorial Day was the start of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Our commemoration begins at our June meeting, when E. Jane McCarthy shares her experiences of being a nurse at the 95th Evacuation Hospital in Da Nang, South Viet Nam in 1971. When: Thursday June 14, 2012 Time:    Noon to 2:00 pm Where –Amenities room                 Embassy of Australia                 1601 Massachusetts A...

Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 Invitation to May Lunch When: Thursday May 10, 2012 Time: Noon to 2:00 pm Where: Amenities Room Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20036 Guest Speaker:  Detective Superintendent Michael Kelsey, Australian Federal Police, Counselor (Police Liaison), Embassy of Australia, Washington Topic: The Australian Federal Police and the role of the Police Liaison. Charge: $15.00, including sodas. Alcoholic beverages, $2.00 each. Volunteers: As usual, we need a volunteer (or two) to run the bar. RSVP (Include your affiliation) by noon on Wednesday May 9, 2012, to David Ward by calling 202-352-8550, or via e-mail to dmward1973 (at) gmail dot com. Parking: There is no parking at the Embassy. In addition to on street metered parking, nearby commercial parking facilities are located behind and under the Airline Pi...

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. What does ANZAC stand for? 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. Why is this day special to Australians? When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany. The Australian ...

Each year on the 25th of April, Australians and New Zealanders commemorate ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day to recognise the sacrifices that Australian and New Zealand soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen have made  not only in defending their country, but in upholding their nations’ longstanding commitment to peace and security. To mark this special occasion for 2012, the Australian and New Zealand Embassies are co-hosting a program of events to which all are welcome. These events include: ANZAC Lecture – 12 April 2012 Presented in conjunction with the Centre for Australian and New Zealand Studies, Ambassador for New Zealand The Right Honourable Mike Moore will deliver the 2012 lecture. When: 12 April 2011 Time: 6.30pm Where: McNeir Auditorium Georgetown University RSVP: canz@georgetown.edu 202 687 7464 Australian Exhibition – from 24 April 2012 ‘Australia’s Mission in Afghanistan’ Featuring more than 50 photographs documenting Australian operations in Afghani...

Sub-branch Member, and 2002 president, Daren J, Flit croft, (Age 88) of Washington, DC died peacefully at his home March 26, 2012 of cancer. He is survived by his devoted wife Mary D. Flitcroft; son, Arn D. Flitcroft; daughter, Sandra L. Flitcroft; grandsons, Daren R. Flitcroft and Daniel D. Flitcroft; sister, Diana Bollerman; brother, Willard Flitcroft; nieces and nephews. Plans for a memorial service and interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be announced at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of Washington, DC and American Cancer Society . http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=15673 6909

April 2012 Newsletter When: Thursday, April 12 Time: Noon to 2:00 pm Where: Amenities room Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Ave Washington DC 20036 Guest Speaker: LT COL ROB GILLARD, ONZM, Military Attaché, New Zealand Defence Force Staff, Washington, DC. Topic –The current New Zealand United States relationship and how it has changed over the last two years. Charge: $15.00, including sodas. Alcoholic beverages, $2.00 each. Volunteers: As usual, we need a volunteer (or two) to run the bar. RSVP (Include your affiliation) by noon on Wednesday April 11, 2012, to David Ward by calling 202-352-8550, or via e-mail to dmward1973@gmail.com. Parking: There is no parking at the Embassy. In addition to on street metered parking, nearby commercial parking facilities are located behind and under the Airline Pilots Association (17th and Mass), and at 1500 Mass. Ave, NW. 2012 Membership dues of $30.00 are payable at the meeting. Alternatively, make your check payable to R&SL, an...

March 2012 Newsletter Monthly Meeting When: Thursday, March 8 Time: Noon to 2:00 pm Where –Amenities room Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Ave Washington DC 20036 Guest Speaker: CAPT Evin Thompson USN. Navy Special Warfare Branch Head, Expeditionary Warfare Division, Navy Staff. Topic – History of the US Navy SEALs Biography: Captain Evin Thompson is a native of Iowa. He was commissioned in 1982 and completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training with class 121 in 1983. He is a qualified Naval Special Warfare Officer and holds the qualification as a Joint Specialty Officer. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, and Armed Forces Staff College. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business from Webster University. CAPT Thompson has served in a variety of Naval Special Warfare and Joint Special Operations assignments. He also served a tour as United Nations Observer i...

Our February speaker Ken Hill More pictures can be viewed here : Many thanks to Sarah Connor for taking photos during the February meeting.

Our February 2012 Meeting will be held Thursday, 9 February Time: Noon to 2:00 pm Where –Amenities room Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Ave Washington DC 20036 Lunch: $15.00, including sodas. Alcoholic beverages, $2.00 each. Volunteers: As usual, we need a volunteer (or two) to run the bar. R.S.V.P. by noon on Tuesday February 7, 2012, to David Ward on 202-352-8550 or via e-mail at dmward1973 at gmail dot com. 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. Our speaker is Mr. Ken Hill. Ken Hill directed Peace Corps programs in Bulgaria, Macedonia and eastern Russia, was Chief of Operations for Peace Corps programs in Europe and Asia and was appointed Chief of Staff of the Peace Corps in 2001. Following his retirement from the Peace Corps, he was elected to the Board of the National Peace Corps Association and served as its Chair until 2006. He chairs the Alexandri...

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton send Australia Day greetings: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/adelaide/171311/speeches/20120126-AustraliaDay.pdf http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/01/182422.htm

Lest We Forget Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 January 2012 Newsletter This newsletter includes details of the January meeting on Wednesday, January 18, and the Australia American Association's Australia Day Reception on January 21. January Lunch and Annual General Meeting When: Wednesday, January 18 Time: Noon to 2:00 pm Where –Amenities room Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Ave Washington DC 20036 The AGM takes the place of the speaker and includes the election of the Board of Governors. Bring a guest and join us as we get an early start celebrating Australia Day. Lunch: Free for members who have paid their 2012 dues or who pay their 2012 dues at the meeting. Others and guests $15.00, including sodas. Alcoholic beverages, $2.00 each. Volunteers: As usual, we need a volunteer (or two) to run the bar. R.S.V.P. by noon on Tuesday January 17, ...