Earlier this year, Social Club Coordinator, Di Vogt asked the members of her social club if they would like to join her at the Vietnam Veterans\’ Day service on 18 August 2023. Di spoke of the importance of the service to her and her late husband and wanted to honour him and those he served with. The fact that 2023 marked the 50th year since the end of Australia\’s involvement in the war was even more significant for Di and many other War Widows.
Joining forces with Wendy McKeon, Di and Wendy not only made it a special for all widows who attended, but also made sure the widows were included in the service. For the first time, more than 50 war widows took their rightful place in the service, filing past the Cenotaph and laying their own tributes to their loved ones in the form of a single rose.
The power of this statement was not lost on all of those in attendance, following the lead of our Patron, the Official Party silently stood as the War Widows filed past one by one.
Following the ceremony, US Navy personnel and US Marines in attendance were honoured to spend time getting to know our ladies as they were honoured to spend time with them. A powerful and moving day that was brought together and made possible by two members with an idea. Thank you Di and Wendy, you made this day memorable for so many.
