Features
TIME OF REFLECTION
By LCDR Mick Gallagher

Edition 5007, 03 May, 2007
We are assembled here to commemorate that immortal day

Despite the rain, cheers rang through the Sydney CBD as members of the RAN joined the parade of some 20,000 who marched through the streets of the historic naval city on Anzac Day 2007.

The RAN had been present earlier when the Fleet Commander, RADM Davyd Thomas, addressed the gathering at the Martin Place dawn service.

Also at the dawn service was LSMT Brian Town from HMAS Waterhen whose brother Colin was an ABSIG in the 1990s.

“It’s been a time of reflection for me,” said LS Town who later joined the main parade.

HMA Ships, Units and Associations, such as Sydney, Manoora, Ballarat, Melbourne, Stuart, Darwin, Parramatta, Kanimbla, Penguin, Waterhen, Watson, Kuttabul, Naval Warfare, RAN Coms, and Clearance Divers attended.

Many were proudly showing their banners as they made the 1.5 km march past the Cenotaph at Martin Place, along George St to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.

POMT Tony Mills from FSU Sydney marched under the banner of his former ship, HMAS Perth (DDG-38).

“This is my third Anzac Parade in Sydney and we are enjoying it,” said ABCSO Steven Thomson from HMAS Melbourne, who was accompanied by ABCSO Sally Reiffel and their seven-month-old daughter, Holly.

Some Naval Reservists marched under the banner of the NR Association. Others joined the HMAS Kuttabul contingent led by CO CMDR Mark Todd

“This is the second time we have marched under the Kuttabul banner,” said XO LCDR Mark Napier, “The 65th anniversary of the sinking of the ferry Kuttabul in 1942 and the recent discovery of the Japanese submarine M24 has given heightened levels of interest in the Battle of Sydney.”

Also on parade were crew members of the visiting USS Lassen led by her CO CMDR Marshall B Brown. They were accorded a warm welcome by the people of Sydney.

“It was a great honour for us to parade today and see so many patriotic Australians,” said CMDR Brown.

Although this was Lassen’s second visit to Sydney, it was her first Anzac parade here, and with her was the US Naval Attaché to Australia, CAPT William Dooris USN, .

After parading CAPT Dooris was introduced to Mr. Paul Couvret who was a cadet Pilot Officer with the Dutch Fleet Air Arm in WW2. Paul was a POW in the ship yards of Nagasaki when the US atom bomb was dropped in 1945. He survived the initial radiation fall-out because all POWs were sent below and locked up in their dungeons when the bomb exploded.

“I watched the dawn service on TV, live from the beach at Currumbin in Qld. ANZAC service brings out an emotional response to many of us,” said machinery plant liaison officer at Defence Plaza CPOMT Greg Goodieson. Greg’s uncle Alex was a WOWTR and served in the 1960s -70s including HMAS Vendetta.

The RAN Band was also on parade in Sydney while other band members were at Anzac Cove,for the dawn service.

Many RAN personnel attended suburban Anzac services including those held in the lead up to Anzac Day.

In the northern suburb of Hornsby MIDN David Hodge from Creswell, POMT Mark Murray Kuttabul, POCSSMW Paul Julien Waterhen, and POMT Tony Mills FSU-Sydney, attended its Sunday Anzac parade and service.

“It’s good to see the support from the community,” said HMAS Kuttabul ship’s warrant officer WO Gary Osborne..

After the Sydney parade a Commemoration of Anzac service was held at the Pool of Reflection in Hyde Park where RADM Thomas gave the Prayer for the Nation.

Lest We Forget
TRIBUTE: The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson places a floral wreath on Anzac Day in Turkey.

Photo: CPL Rob Nyffenegger
HELD HIGH: The Patrol Boat FEG display their banner as they march through the streets of Darwin on Anzac Day.

Photo: ABPH Bradley Darvill
PAYING THEIR RESPECTS: CMDR Mark Hammond, CO HMAS Farncomb, with LSMT Graham Street at Hellfire Pass in Thailand.

Photo: SBLT Joe Francis
YOUNG AND OLD: Veteran Len Mason recieves assistance from a Navy sailor during the ANZAC Day Service at Nowra.

Photo: ABPH Brenton Freind
BRAVING THE RAIN: ABCSO Sally Reiffel and ABCSO Steven Thomson with their daughter, Holly at the Anzac Day march in Sydney.

Photo: LCDR Mick Gallagher
HONOURING THE FALLEN: ABMT Clint Dainer of HMAS Townsville at the Dawn Service on Anzac day in Townsville.

Photo: CPL Kirk Peacock
REST-ON-ARMS: Australia’s Federation Guard during the dawn service at the Hall of Memory at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Photo: ABPH Paul McCallum
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