ANZAC DAY 2018: 6 Wing AAFC honour the fallen

Throughout South Australia and western Victoria, and even in Canberra, Air Force Cadets from No 6 Wing took part in a number of Anzac Day Dawn Services and commemorative marches.

CAPTION: Leading Cadet Liam Mickan, No 613 Squadron, AAFC, carries the banner at the head of the Air Force veterans of World War 2 at the Anzac Day march in Adelaide. He wore on his right breast the Zimbabwe Independence Medal awarded to his grandfather. Photo by Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig.

In some localities, the activity actually began the night before with an overnight Vigil, in which cadets and other volunteer youth mounted a formal ‘Holding Ground’ ceremony around a War Memorial continuously throughout the night, from sunset untill dawn.

The list of Anzac Day activities in which cadets participated is quite extensive.

6 Wing cadets participated in the overnight Youth Vigil at the State War Memorial on North Terrace in Adelaide. During the RSL Anzac Day March in Adelaide, Cadets carried signage and banners for the veteran groups, cadets and staff marched as the No 6 Wing contingent, and other cadets formed an Honour Guard at the Cross of Sacrifice.

No 609 Squadron participated in the City of Marion Youth Vigil until just before the Dawn service on 25 April. No 617 Squadron provided a Catafalque Party in support of the Unley RSL Dawn Service at the War Veterans’ Home in Myrtle Bank, and also at Unley Memorial Gardens.

Further south, No 619 (City of Onkaparinga) Squadron conducted an overnight Youth Vigil and Dawn Service at the Morphett Vale Eternal Flame Monument.

No 605 (City of Onkaparinga) Squadron mounted three Catafalque Parties, for the Port Noarlunga/Christies Beach RSL Dawn Service, the Morphett Vale Dawn Service, and at TPI House in Richmond.

In the Adelaide Hills, No 602 Squadron participated in an Anzac Twilight Service with Macclesfield RSL, and commemorative events at Mount Pleasant and in Nairne.

In the Riverland, No 603 Squadron participated in the services in Loxton and Renmark. Earlier in the month, the squadron had supported ‘Anzac Day for Schools’ at the Berri War Memorial.

No 608 (Town of Gawler) Squadron marched with the Gawler RSL on 22 April, and mounted a Catafalque Party for the Anzac Service. Then on 25 April the Squadron again mounted a Catafalque Party and Honour Guard for the Gawler RSL Dawn Service at Pioneer Park.

No 612 Squadron participated in the Mount Gambier Anzac Day march, and joined the service at Vansittart Park.

No 614 Squadron provided a Catafalque Party for the Dawn Service and then joined the March in Port Pirie.

No 622 Squadron mounted a Catafalque Party for the Mannum RSL Dawn Service, while other cadets attended the Murray Bridge Dawn Service and a Catafalque Party, together with cadets from 45 Army Cadet Unit.

In Victoria, No 623 Squadron from Mildura led the March and provided Catafalque Parties in Irymple and Wentworth, and cadets and staff participated in the Anzac March in Mildura.

In addition to these events, 47 cadets and staff marched on Anzac Day in Canberra as part of a 6 Wing Canberra Cultural Trip.

The community can be rightly proud that practically every Air Force Cadet that was available throughout Mildura and SA took part in some way in an Anzac Day activity.

Many cadets also took the opportunity to honour a deceased relative by wearing their medals.

No 6 Wing Public Affairs & Communication Officer, Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig said, “Each year we take these opportunities to ensure that our Anzacs are remembered – we must constantly repeat the essence of the faith our fallen heroes keep”.

Lest we Forget

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