INSTEAD of rising for the traditional dawn service this past Anzac Day, veterans chose to commemorate their time served in ways never before seen in Australia\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
For one Ocean Grove man who was deployed to Korea in the early 1950s, the sentiments shared in a care package delivered to his doorstep made for an indelible April 25.<\/p>\n
Neil Winsor, 91, was delighted to receive goods from a number of Bellarine and Geelong based businesses, including Driftwood Caf\u00e9, La Madre Bakery, Pretty\u2019s Prime Cuts Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove Cellars and Lard Ass Butter.<\/p>\n
But it was the sprig of rosemary and handwritten note from Grade 2 Ocean Grove Primary pupil Xavier Rappel which read \u201cYou are a hero. Stay safe\u201d that most touched his heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciated all of it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA man of few words,\u201d laughed Susan, Neil\u2019s wife of 44 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just lovely. At his age, it\u2019s not like you don\u2019t expect these sorts of things to happen, but it really was just a lovely surprise for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe generosity and kindness and the sentiments expressed made for a wonderful and memorable Anzac Day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicole Rappel said her son had completed a reflective task for school where students were asked to describe how they were feeling about the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Ms Rappel became concerned when Xavier admitted he was \u201c70 per cent worried\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked \u2018Oh, okay, why?\u2019 and he just said he was really worried for the older people of Ocean Grove because they\u2019re the most susceptible to COVID-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have an affiliation with the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove and they were helping to put together the care packages.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had told one of the ladies I was really worried about Xav feeling this way and she said \u2018Well, we\u2019re putting together these packs, would he like to write some notes?\u2019 and he jumped at that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with sister Amelie, Xavier signed and sealed more than 30 cards.<\/p>\n
He said he felt better for having done so.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really happy to make the cards to thank the veterans. I hope they liked them.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
INSTEAD of rising for the traditional dawn service this past Anzac Day, veterans chose to commemorate their time served in ways never before seen in Australia\u2019s history. For one Ocean Grove man who was deployed to Korea in the early 1950s, the sentiments shared in a care package delivered to his doorstep made for an […]<\/p>\n