Townsville National Servicemen to hold memorial for those killed in service or training
Plans for poignant ceremony to remember the Nashos killed during service or in training revealed.
Townsville
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A poignant ceremony to remember the Nashos killed during service or in training will be held at the National Servicemen’s Memorial Park on Monday morning at Rowes Bay.
A total of 212 Nashos were killed in Vietnam and Borneo and 263 in Australia during their training.
The service will also dedicate 18 plaques for Nashos who have passed away in the Townsville District in the past 12 months.
National Servicemen’s Association of Australia Townsville Sub Branch president Neville Hines said the youngest Nashos were now aged in their early 70s and their numbers were diminishing.
“Our numbers are dwindling at the moment and lot of branches are closing because they can’t get the people to take on the executive positions, because they’re getting too old and not well enough to run the branches.
“But we’re endeavouring to keep the Townsville branch going as long as we can,” the president said.
He encouraged Nashos in the region to attend the service on Monday or come along to a meeting of the Townsville Sub Branch.
“We’d like to get as many Nashos as can, because our whole idea is to try and give them good wellbeing and welfare, and a lot of them don’t realise the benefits they’re going to have. We have morning teas and trips away where we try and get them camaraderie.
“We’d like any national servicemen out there come along and talk to us at the event on Monday or come to a meeting.
“They don’t need to join the association, come and be known and see what we can do to help them.”
Mr Hines said it was important for the Townsville community to remember the sacrifices of Nashos who served and not just those who gave their lives.
“It needs to be remembered what they gave up. They had to give up their jobs, their partnerships, it was a hard time for some people.
The service on Monday starts at 10am and the National Servicemen’s Association Townsville Sub Branch meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 11am at the Townsville RSL.
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Originally published as Townsville National Servicemen to hold memorial for those killed in service or training
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