By YASEMIN TALAT
THE community of Wyndham will come together over the next couple of weeks to honour the bravery of Australian soldiers who fought for the freedom of our nation.
President of the Werribee RSL sub-branch, Daryl Ryan said ANZAC day and Remembrance Day were the two main days of the year when people could remember the sacrifice of so many.
“It’s a day of solemn remembrance,” Mr Ryan said.
“A lot of young men died. And not only men but women and children got caught in the crossfire too.”
Mr Ryan said many war veterans constantly think about their time at the war and the mates they lost.
“They did it damn hard and they’ve lost a lot of mates, a lot of mates,” he said of the veterans.
“They think of them all the time especially on ANZAC day.”
Mr Ryan himself was only 21 and a newlywed when he was sent to Vietnam as a reinforcement.
After being accidently wounded six months in, Mr Ryan was medically evacuated back to Australia.
He said it was “hard to explain” the time spent in Vietnam.
Mr Ryan said ANZAC Day was a time for communities to remember those who have served for our nation and died at war.
“You remember those that have passed away. I’ve been president here for nearly 28 years and in that time I’ve done a lot of RSL funerals,” Mr Ryan said.
“Quite a few first world war fellas have passed away, World War II fellas and Vietnam veterans have passed away and you think of them. And you think to yourself we haven’t learnt, we’re still fighting.
“No one wins in a war,” he said.
But something that will never die is the mateship formed during the war.
“The comradeship is something that can’t be broke,” Mr Ryan said.
All money raised for the ANZAC Day Appeal will be solely used for the veteran community.
To buy an ANZAC token or donate visit Hoppers Crossing Bunnings Warehouse over the next two weekends or visit the Werribee RSL sub-branch or call 97415525.
