VETERANS and their families in places all over Australia commemorated the legacy and sacrifice of the scores of men who comprise the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (Nashos) on Saturday, February 14.
The commemoration event in Townsville was held under a slate-grey sky, which combined with the outlook to the Pacific Ocean and Magnetic Island, provided an appropriate background for the day’s proceedings.
It was a stirring occasion with various Nasho members providing anecdotes both humorous and serious of their time spent in the service.
Wreaths, flowers and books were placed on the memorial which has an inscription that reads:
They Served Australia
This memorial is dedicated to the 287,000 young men that served in National Service schemes between 1951 and 1972.
These young men came from all walks of life and served in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
212 of these young men were killed and 1497 were wounded during overseas service.
Lest We Forget.
The lasting legacy of the Nashos was the main theme of the speech given by the Patron of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (Townsville Branch) Brigadier Neil Weekes (RETD) during the service.
He said the Nashos are a unique group who came from capital cities to one pub towns, from radically differing socio-economic backgrounds and professions who came together to serve their nation with distinction during times of conflict.
“Once the Nashos joined the regular Army you honestly couldn’t tell the difference in skill,” Brigadier Weekes said.
But he said he was concerned about what the Nasho legacy would be.
“They’re getting fewer in numbers, and it’s vitally important that future generations remember the sacrifice the National Servicemen made for their nation.
“Steps need to be taken to ensure the Nasho legacy lives on when they are gone.”
He added that although the service was being held to commemorate a solemn occasion it was also to celebrate life.
“That includes, lives cut short, lives lived to the full which ended in peaceful circumstances and lives still to live.”
Click on the photo below to view the image gallery from the service.
The National Servicemen's Association of Australia was founded in 1987 and now is the second largest ex-service organisation in the nation.
The association's objectives are to promote the health and welfare of National Servicemen; to represent National Servicemen to Government, the community and the media; to record the history of National Service and its role in Australia's defence effort; to provide a National Servicemen's perspective on defence and community issues; to build and maintain memorials to National Servicemen who died on active service and those who have died since; to participate in community, Armed Services and NSAA commemorations and parades; to promote educational programs about National Service in schools and in the community and to promote social interaction between National Servicemen and with the wider defence general communities.
The Association's welfare programs include visits to sick members; information on issues such as health and welfare benefits; information about retirement homes, financial planning and funerals; general information through publications such as 'Nashos News' on issues of interest to National Servicemen and promotion of a wide range of social activities.