Veterans given 60year medals

By Tania Martin
EMERALD World War II veterans and their wives were presented with medals of honour on the weekend by Federal MP for La Trobe Jason Wood.
Mr Wood said presenting the veterans with the medals was a highlight of his political career.
“I have a huge regard for veterans and they have some amazing stories to tell,” he said.
A former police officer, Mr Wood said he thought being a police officer was tough, but that it did not compare to what war veterans went though for their country.
Mr Wood said the medals commemorate the 60th anniversary of VP Day, which marks the end of WWII in August 1945.
He said one million Australians fought in WWII, 40,000 were killed and 30,000 were prisoners of war.
“I didn’t truly understand what veterans went through until I heard stories from my grandfather who was captured by the Japanese in Singapore and spent time on the Burma rail.
“Hearing my grandfather talk about the war gave me a personal perspective and gave me a better understanding of what veterans went through,” he said.
Mr Wood said WWII veterans fought for what they believed in and gave up six years of their lives to help make Australia the country it is today.
He said it was amazing to see how many people in his electorate, in particular in Emerald and Cockatoo, fought for the free country that Australians now enjoy.
“It is embarrassing for me when people say that it is good of me to give up one Sunday to present these medals, when our veterans gave up six years of their lives to fight for our country,” Mr Wood said.
Emerald veterans Lyle Butling and Bill Holmes, both enlisted at the age of 17 and fought side by side throughout the war. The two even slept in the same tent together.
Mr Butling said out the 1600 people in their unit, the seventh Australian Infantry Battalion, only 120 survived the war.
He said receiving the medals would give his grandchildren something to remember their sacrifices.