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Showing posts from 2013

October 10, 2013 meeting

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Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Our guest speaker will be R&SL Life Member Major Edward Connor, USAF (Rtd).  Edward will describe the WWII Battle of the Bismarck Sea from his viewpoint as a Radio Gunner flying in a North American B25 Mitchell Medium Bomber. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual RSVP by noon on Wednesday October 9, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973@gmail.com NOTE: Valid photo ID required Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and at 15th and Mass (1240 15th street). On street two hour metered parking is also available. Short Biography:   Edward Conner enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps - the predecessor to the U.S. Air Force

September 12, 2013 meeting

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Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Speaker:  Major General Timothy McOwan,  AO,   DSC, CSM, Head Australian Defence Staff (Washington), and Australian Defence Attache. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual RSVP by noon on Wednesday September 11, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to  dmward1973@gmail.com NOTE: Valid photo ID required Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and at 15th and Mass (1240 15th street). On street two hour metered parking is also available. Biography: Tim McOwan enlisted into the Army in 1976 and gained his commission from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1980. Major General McOwan served in regimental appointments with the 1st Battalion,

August Wall Wash

August 3, 2013- R&SL Washington past president Dave Gudes invites you to join him and other members of VVA chapter 641, as they honor the fallen by washing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.  The group assembles at 6:30 am at the Western end of the Wall, near the statues of the three soldiers. Directions to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall can be found at http://www.nps.gov/vive/planyourvisit/directions.htm .  Parking: Regular participants suggest the best places to park for the Wall Wash are on the streets perpendicular to Constitution Avenue:  23rd, 22nd, and 21st.  Parking is free until 7:30 am.  Photographs taken by Dan Arant at the May wall wash can be found at https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=0af50ddd737da8b9&id=AF50DDD737DA8B9%218497&authkey= !APOzHgMVg2V8t1w The remaining Wall Washing dates for 2013 are August 3, September 7, October 5, and November 2. How VVA641 started the Wall washing is outlined at http://www.today.com/id/30884929/ns/today-t

August 8, 2013 Meeting

Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 202-352-8550 www.rsl-dc.com Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Speaker and Topic:  USAF pilot and member of the SES Colonel John T. Manclark, will talk about his experiences as a "Red Eagle", test flying Soviet Aircraft. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual RSVP by noon on August 7 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 at gmail dot com NOTE: Valid photo ID required Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and at 15th and Mass (1240 15th street). On street two hour metered parking is also available. Biography John T. Manc

July 2013 Meeting

Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 202-352-8550 www.rsl-dc.com Invitation to July 11, 2013 meeting Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Speaker:  Mr. Stephen Harding. As a defense journalist Stephen Harding covered the conflicts in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and, most recently, Iraq. The author of seven books and some 300 magazine articles, he specializes in military, aviation and maritime topics.* Topic: - Mr. Harding will discuss his book The Last Battle: When U.S. and German Soldiers Joined Forces in the Waning Hours of World War II in Europe.  https://www.facebook.com/LastBattleinEurope Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual RSVP by noon on July 10 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 at gmail dot

June 2013 Meeting

Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 202-352-8550 www.rsl-dc.com Notice of June 2013 Meeting When – Thursday June 13, 2013 Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts, Ave., Washington, DC 20036 Our Speaker is Colonel Eric R. Belcher, US Army; Chief of Staff, Arlington National Cemetery Topic – Arlington National Cemetery Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual Volunteers: As usual, we need a volunteer (or two) to run the bar. RSVP by noon on June 12 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 at gmail dot com NOTE: Valid photo ID required Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and at 15th and Mass (1240 15th

Baker's Creek Commemoration

June 14 –70 th  Anniversary Ceremony honoring those who died at the Bakers Creek Air Crash, near Mackay, Australia.  The US Army will sponsor the 2:00 pm ceremony at the memorial marker which is located on Joint base Myer – Henderson Hall., near Selfridge Gate. After the ceremony there will be a small reception at Spates Center, which is located near the memorial. Prior to the ceremony at JBM-HH, Ambassador Beazley will sponsor a reception at the Embassy of Australia, between 11:30 am and 1:00pm, for the family, relatives and friends, of those died during the accident. The R&SL has been invited to the reception. Please let Dave Ward know whether you will be attending the reception at the Embassy (call 202-352-8550, or e-mail  dmward1973 at gmail dot com ).

April 2013 Meeting

Our April meeting has been rescheduled to this Thursday, 18 April at the Embassy at Noon.  Please refer to the previous post about the meeting for details.  Our deepest gratitude to Greg Copley, who was able to adjust his schedule to speak.

ANZAC Day 2013

ANZAC Day 2013 Washington DC 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 servicemen and servicewomen 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 2013, the Australian and New Zealand Embassies are co-hosting a program of events to which all are welcome.    These events include:    Australian Exhibition – 19 April 2013 ‘Afghanistan’ The Embassy of Australia in partnership with the Australian War Memorial will present commissioned works by renowned Australian artist Shaun Gladwell in the exhibition, Afghanistan . When: From 19 April to 30 May 2013 Time: Daily 10:00am - 2:00pm (Mon-Fri) Where: Em

PBS NOVA: Australia: First 4 Billion Years

  PBS' NOVA presents a special four-part series,  Australia: The First 4 Billion Years hosted by geologist Dr. Richard Smith, starting this Wednesday April 10 at 9:00pm on WETA.  A preview can be found at the WETA site.

April 2013 Meeting

Returned & Services League of Australia Washington Sub-Branch 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 202-352-8550 www.rsl-dc.com April 2013 Newsletter This newsletter includes details of the April meeting and the March 11 meeting. Details of the events being held to commemorate ANZAC Day will be provided separately. April meeting When Thursday April 11, 2013 Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities room Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts, Ave., Washington, DC 20036 Speaker – Mr. Gregory Copley, AM, GCHT*, FRCGS, President of the International Strategic Studies Association (biography on page two). Topic:    UnCivilization: Urban Geopolitics in a Time of Chaos Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual Volunteers: As usual, we need a volunteer (or two) to run the bar. RSVP by noon on April 10 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmw

March 2013 Meeting

When: Thursday March 14  Time:    Noon to 2:00 pm Where –Amenities room              Embassy of Australia              1601 Massachusetts Ave              Washington DC 20036 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 February 13 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  Our speaker will be Mike Sforo of  Operation Backbone .   He is a US Navy veteran of the Persian Gulf War, and his biography can be found here .  He will talk about Operation Backbone.

National Geographic Live - Australian Douglas Mawson's 300-mile trek across Antarctic Ice

Dear members and friends of the Washington Sub-Branch, National Geographic Live's next public event commemorates the 100th anniversary of Australian Douglas Mawson's 300-mile trek across Antarctic Ice. Tickets are available for purchase from National Geographic. Author David Roberts will share the gripping account of Mawson’s trek across Antarctic ice after the death of his companions and the loss of most of his provisions - an incredible story made real through images shot by one of Australia’s greatest photographers, Frank Hurley. Battling hunger, insanity and deadly crevasses, Mawson defied the odds and cheated death. Date:        Wednesday, 6 February 2013, 7:30 pm Presentation at Grosvenor Auditorium, National Geographic Society to be introduced by Ambassador Kim Beazley Venue:      National Geographic Society, 1600 M Street NW, Washington DC   Tickets:     $22  http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/sp

February 2013 Meeting

When: Thursday February 14  Time:    Noon to 2:00 pm Where –Amenities room              Embassy of Australia              1601 Massachusetts Ave              Washington DC 20036 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 February 13 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   Our speaker will be Colonel Andrea Crunkorn, U.S. Army.  Colonel Crunkhorn will talk about her work with Traumatic Brain Injuries.  Colonel Andrea Crunkorn is the Chief of the Prevention, Rehabilitation and Reintergration Program in the Office of the Surgeon General, Army , and provides staff direction in the areas of Traumatic Brain Injury, Pain management and Musculoskeleta

November 2012 Wall Wash

Reuters has published photographs of the November 2012 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Wash.  Several sub-branch members are in the pictures: http://blogs.reuters.com/photographers-blog/2012/11/08/feeling-the-names-of-the-fallen/ http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR3A6HE#a=23

Australia Day 2013

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Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788   Figure 1The Founding of Australia, Jan. 26th 1788, by Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N. Sydney Cove. Original oil sketch [1937] by Algernon Talmadge R.A. ML 1222* Though 26 January marks this specific event, today Australia Day celebrations reflect contemporary Australia: our diverse society and landscape, our remarkable achievements and our bright future. It also is an opportunity to reflect on our nation's history, and to consider how we can make Australia an even better place in future. On Australia Day, over half of the nation’s population of 21 million attend either an organized community event, or get together with family and friends with the intention of celebrating our national day. Many more spend the public holiday relaxing with family

January 2013 Meeting

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UNCLASSIFIED Dear members and friends, I hope you are well. Join us for a free lunch (for financial members) on January 10, and help us get an early start celebrating Australia Day, our equivalent of Independence Day. The Annual General Meeting takes the place of a guest speaker and includes the installation of the 2013 Board of Governors. Thought about becoming a member and wish to take advantage of the free lunch? Come to lunch with a completed copy of the attached application (including