Anzac commemoration at the Canberra Hospital
The Catafalque Party in the foyer of the Canberra Hospital. Photo supplied.
On Wednesday April 17, at the Canberra Hospital, the Veteran’s Support Group conducted the annual Tribute to Veteran and Peacekeepers memorial service.
This was the fifteenth such gathering of veterans who include many former military and peacekeeping patients and support groups like the Vietnam veterans and the increasing number of Iraq and Afghanistan returned men and women.
Rev Deacon Mick O’Donnell, the RSL Chaplain delivered the prayer and the benediction and the ANZAC address was delivered by Colonel Andrew Meacham CSC who acknowledged the Diplomats from the French Embassy in attendance at the loss of the national icon Notre Dame Cathedral.
The Navy Catafalque party was provided by HMAS Harman.
Wreaths were laid representing many military organisations and a men’s choir, and a Scottish piper provided the music.
Story contributed.
Rev Deacon Joe Blackwell, Chaplain co-ordinator at TCH, and Rev Deacon Mick O’Donnell, RSL Chaplain share a ‘mates for mates’ moment. Photo supplied.
Good work,Mick and Joe. We should have more deacons—including, of course. women ones.
You booth look so very healthy
Bless you both
Rev { Major Retd}
Graeme R Davis OAM CSM
St Vincent’s Lismore
I think that is Roger O’Donnell not Mick unless he’s changed his name I’d like to know what the medals that he’s wearing are for.
Bless you Ron. The medals were awarded to Deacon Roger ‘Mick’ O’Donnell by the Australian government for specific operational service during Mick’s 20 years in the RAN (including the Malaysian conflict, PNG, and Vietnam), and for many years peacekeeping and law enforcement contributions as the AFP Chaplain in East Timor, the Solomon Islands, PNG and Indonesia. The bars on the medals nominate the area of operational service, and the badge acknowledges his Returned From Active Service status. The AWM web site gives more details. We’re very proud of our Deacons. Nelie from Noosa