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2014 Long Tan Commemoration

Join The Returned & Services League of Australia, Washington DC Sub-Branch At the Battle of Long Tan Commemoration Ceremony On Sunday August 17, 2014 at 11:00 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 15 minutes, to allow attendees more time to pay their respects at the Wall afterwards. *East of the Wall between 21st and 20th streets. There is neither reserved parking nor any seating. 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], turn left on near side of Reflecting Pool. By car: The memorial is adjacent to

Invitation to August 14, 2014 Meeting

Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where – Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages -  $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual RSVP by noon on Wednesday August 13, 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 Massachusetts, and at 15th and Mass (1240 15th street). On street two hour metered parking is also available. Guest speaker:   Alan Rems, author of South Pacific Cauldron  Born in Jersey City on April 30, 1937, Alan Rems grew up during World War II, developing a strong life-long interest through study in all aspects of the war. Twelve years into retirement from his work as a CPA, Alan put his knowledge and passion to use when he learned

Invitation to June 12, 2014 meeting

                          Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Guest speaker: Maryland based Australian artist Jason Swain. Topic:  Jason is painting pictures of Australia’s fallen soldiers to give to the families of the fallen.  Australia lost 40 Diggers in the Afghan war and this is Jason’s way of paying tribute to these warriors and also give each family a personal gift to say thank you for their sacrifice.* Jason will display his latest portrait at the meeting. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each.                                                                                     Attire: Business casual                                         RSVP by  noon on Wednesday June 11, 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 n

Bakers Creek Air Crash Commemoration Ceremony

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71 st ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY SALUTES WW II PLANE CRASH VICTIMS Selfridge Gate to Arlington National Cemetery Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall June 13, 2014 9:00 am  COL Fern O. Sumpter, Garrison Commander, and CSM Lavender will place a wreath at the Bakers Creek Air Crash monument, followed by Taps. Join family relatives and friends of the 40 American servicemen killed in World War II’s worse aviation disaster in the Southwest Pacific.  We will be honored by the presence of Air Commodore Gary Martin, Air Attaché from the Embassy of Australia, Bill Lloyd, President of 317th Veterans Group, and Col Benson, Mackay RSL Historian from Australia. A reception, sponsored by Definition Media Ltd (UK), will follow the ceremony. Allow extra time for the security checks when arriving at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall The event marks the 71 st Anniversary Commemoration of a tragic wartime accident where 40 members of the U.S. Army Air Corps perished at Bakers

Invitation to May 8, 2014 meeting

Invitation to May 8, 2014 meeting Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where: Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Guest speaker:    Dr. Erik Villard, US Army Center for Military History Topic:  The Battles of Australian Fire Support Bases Coral-Balmoral: May – June 1968, In what was Bin Hoa Province, South Vietnam. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each. Attire: Business casual RSVP by noon on Wednesday May 7, 2014, 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.

Invitation to March 13, 2014 meeting

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We are honored that T he Hon Kim Beazley, AC Ambassador of Australia to the United States, has accepted an invitation to be the guest speaker at the March 13 meeting.  The meeting will fill up quickly so please do not  hold your RSVP until March 12 th because you may miss out.  We look forward to seeing you on Thursday March 13 th.          Time - Noon to 2:00 pm. Where –Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20036 Guest speaker:  The Hon Kim Beazley, AC Ambassador of Australia to the United States of America. Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each.                                                                                      Attire: Business casual                                        RSVP ASAP but by NLT than noon on Wednesday March 12, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 at gmail (dot) com NOTE: Valid photo ID required Parkin

March 2014 Newsletter

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Lest we Forget Returned & Services League of Australia, Washington Sub-Branch, 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 202-352-8550 dmward1973 at gmail dot com www.rsl-dc.com 2014 Membership dues of $30.00 are payable at the meeting. Alternatively, make your check payable to R&SL, and send it to Dave Ward, 2308 November Lane, Reston, VA, For your calendar: Monthly meetings - April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, and December 11. Additional dates: March 30 – SSC Brunch,  April 25 - Anzac Day, June 14 - Bakers Creek Air Crash Commemoration, June 21 SSC-AAA BBQ, August 18 - Long Tan Day (Australia’s Vietnam Veterans Day), and November 11 -Remembrance Day.

Victoria Cross for Australia to Digger who made the ultimate sacrifice

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson warmly welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to posthumously awar d the Victoria Cross for Australia to the late Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird MG. “Corporal Baird was a true Australian hero, his actions on 22 June 2013, while serving in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, were truly remarkable. He displayed the highest level of gallantry, making the ultimate sacrifice to protect his comrades,” Senator Ronaldson said. “The actions of Corporal Baird will be forever instilled in Australia’s military history. The Victoria Cross was awarded in recognition of his most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice.” Corporal Baird will join a small group of gallant Australians who have been bestowed Australia’s highest military honour. The Victoria Cross for Australia has recently been awarded to Corporal Mark Donaldson, VC, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, VC, MG and Corpor

NEW $1 COIN SHARES THE SPIRIT OF THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, The Hon. Steven Ciobo MP, today unveiled a new $1 circulating 2014 coin featuring the Centenary of Anzac logo and produced by the Royal Australian Mint. The special commemorative 2014 $1 circulating coin features the official logo of the Anzac Centenary, including the image of an Australian soldier, head bowed and rifle reversed in solemn reflection and the words ‘100 Years of Anzac – The Spirit Lives’. The coin is rimmed with a motif reflecting the sun’s rays as captured on the Australian Army’s Rising Sun badge. Senator Ronaldson said the Anzac Centenary would be one of the most important commemorations in Australia’s history and it was fitting that the Royal Australian Mint had created this coin. “The Centenary of Anzac will be one of the most defining moments in our nations’ story and the creation of a coin is a perma