A stirring tribute was paid to the National Servicemen's Association of Australia (Nashos) (Qld) Inc Townsville and District Branch members during a commemoration service held in Townsville on Tuesday morning.
The service is held annually at the National Servicemen's Memorial Park in the picturesque beachfront suburb of Rowes Bay to remember the 287,000 fine young men from all walks of life who were called up for service to our country in the Navy, Army and Air Force in two schemes between 1951 and 1972.
National Service reinstated conscription in two schemes between 1951 and 1972. The first between 1951 and 1959 was because of the Korean War and the second between 1965 and 1972 for the wars in Borneo and Vietnam.
Townsville RAAF Base 27th Squadron chaplain David Kelly led the service and during his sermon he said the past National Service men and women provide a profound example of how to live our lives.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to proceed in its presence,” Father Kelly said.
He said the saying helps him reflect on those that have protected “this great nation of ours”.
“They (Nashos) probably had fear but they proceeded anyway, which makes me think no matter what I face, I can, and must be willing to proceed despite the fear I’m feeling.”
During the Act of Remembrance family members of the fallen placed poppies on the memorial plaque in memory of their loved ones after which community and defence force -associated members placed wreaths, flowers and books on the central National Servicemen memorial.
The memorial plaque which was erected at Rowes Bay 11 years ago has an inscription on it 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.’
