PNG WW2 veterans’ anniversary invitations close this Friday
20 June 2017
KEITH JACKSON
AUSTRALIAN Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan Tehan is encouraging veterans from some of the important Papua New Guinean campaigns of World War II to nominate to attend two important commemorations to be held in Canberra later this year.
Time is running out, though, and nominations to receive support to attend the commemorations of the Battles of Milne Bay, Kokoda, Buna, Gona and Sanananda close this coming Friday.
Mr Tehan said the government will arrange return travel and accommodation for eligible veterans and an accompanying carer from their home location to attend the ceremonies at the Australian War Memorial.
Nominations are open to Australian veterans who served in Milne Bay between 25 August and 7 September 1942 to attend the 75th anniversary commemoration in Canberra on Friday 25 August.
Nominations are also open to Australian veterans who served on the Kokoda Track and in the battles for the beachheads at Buna, Gona and Sanananda between 22 July and January 1943 to attend the 75th anniversary commemoration in Canberra on 2 November 2017.
Veterans who served in both theatres of war are welcome to apply to attend both commemorations. Nominations will close on Friday 23 June.
“We will honour the service and sacrifice of the Australians who served at the Battles of Milne Bay and Kokoda and the Beachheads,” Mr Tehan said.
“The veterans of these engagements are central to these commemorations so I encourage eligible veterans to nominate for support to attend these services.”
Details about the commemorations in Canberra and the nomination process are available on the Veteran Affairs website. Alternatively contact DVA on 02 6289 6057 during business hours.
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