Remember them

By CASEY NEILL
ANZAC Day is all about community and honouring the sacrifices of Australia’s fallen soldiers, Monbulk RSL president Ted Beard told the Mail on the eve of the commemoration.
“It’s an acknowledgement and remembrance of our past soldiers,” he said.
“Many died at young ages and didn’t experience life post-war. They missed out.
“If we don’t remember those blokes it’s as if their efforts counted for nothing.
“It’s a remembrance of the service. Not a glorification of war.”
Mr Beard said Anzac Day helped the Monbulk community bond and brought people to the RSL who wouldn’t normally visit.
“People from all age groups, all walks of life,” he said.
The 64-year-old said the RSL was a leading organisation in Monbulk following World War II and its current members felt “a great sense of duty to honour what they did”. A family who lost its son in conflict donated the land for the branch.
Mr Beard said Anzac Day was even more important today, with no surviving WWI veterans and very few remaining from WWII.
“These people individually are no longer left to remind us,” he said.
“We owe it to them and to their families to continue their legacy.”
Mr Beard served as a clerk in the army in Vietnam. He was called up for national service while studying commerce at Melbourne University and reported to Richmond’s Swan Street barracks in January 1969, after completing his studies.
After undergoing medicals – “which were basically just ‘you’ve got two arms and two legs’” – he was put on a bus to the Puckapunyal army base.
“As soon as you get on that bus, basically you’re in the army,” he said.
“You had to quickly adjust to the miliary life.”
He completed marching and rifle drills for 10 weeks and was then taught how to be a clerk. Mr Beard shipped out to Vietnam in September 1969.
“I don’t consider what I did to be heroic,” he said.
Anzac Day traditionally marks the anniversary of Australia’s first major military action – the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The day has come to symbolise the sacrifice of Australians who’ve served in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
Each year the Anzac Appeal raises funds to assist former and serving Australian Defence Forces members and their dependents with meal vouchers, mobility aids, and money for medical expenses, home maintenance, utility expenses, and funeral costs.
Visit www.anzacappeal.com.au for more information.