BENDIGO RSL will hold dawn and commemorative services this Anzac Day, 25 April, to remember military service men and women lost during wartime conflict and peace keeping operations.<\/p>\n
Local branch president Peter Swandale said the public is encouraged to attend the events and he hopes people will also show their support by purchasing Anzac Appeal badge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want them to be part of it because it\u2019s about community, about everybody being a part of that day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cService life is difficult, no matter how long you\u2019ve been in, and the sacrifice of the families of anybody who\u2019s served is a huge thing. It\u2019s just an opportunity to say thank you.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Anzac Appeal is very important for us to be able to get that money to do programs to support the welfare of veterans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing an increase of veterans, particularly Afghanistan veterans, reaching out. We still have homeless veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Swandale said Anzac Day services are away pay tribute to veterans and serving Australian Defence Force personnel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re there to maintain that dignity and to make sure that it\u2019s done correctly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s community-based, Anzac Day, because it\u2019s about an opportunity for everyone, particularly veterans, to remember family, their mates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember those who I\u2019ve served with and those who have passed during my time, and I give them a quick, \u2018hey, I still remember you\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
A long-serving member of the Army, Mr Swandale took park in three deployments and is still involved part-time through Reserves.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been my life and I wouldn\u2019t swap it for anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As part of the Bendigo Anzac Day events, and to mark the 50 anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, veteran Paul Penno will speak about his experiences and the influence the war has on veterans today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO RSL will hold dawn and commemorative services this Anzac Day, 25 April, to remember military service men and women lost during wartime conflict and peace keeping operations. Local branch president Peter Swandale said the public is encouraged to attend the events and he hopes people will also show their support by purchasing Anzac Appeal […]<\/p>\n