MEDIA RELEASE
28 August 2007
For immediate release
Australian army veterans return to Papua New Guinea
Australian Second World War veterans took part in a memorial service at Bomana War Cemetery today as part of an emotional return journey to Papua New Guinea.
The six veterans from the 39th Battalion, the 2/14th Battalion and the Papuan Infantry Battalion returned to PNG to remember the campaign along the Kokoda Track.
The elderly veterans were joined at the memorial service by the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, members of the Australian Defence Staff serving in PNG and members of the Returned and Services League (RSL).
Speaking at the service, Mr Moraitis said: “We join here today to commemorate the sacrifices of our armed forces, in particular the 39th Battalion, the 2/14th Battalion and the Papuan Infantry Battalion and all other servicemen and women who contributed towards the campaign along the Kokoda Track.
“We cannot be grateful enough to these gallant servicemen and women for their bravery that saved Australia from potential invasion and the subsequent loss of the freedoms our nation now enjoys.
“It is also important to remember the bravery of those Papua New Guineans who supported us during our hour of need in the bitter campaigns of World War Two. Many Australian servicemen owed their lives to the selfless courage of these people.
“The courage, endurance and mateship shown by those Papua New Guineans serves as a powerful reminder of the close and enduring links between Australia and PNG.”
Mr Moraitis added: “I think it is an honour and a great privilege for us to be able to mark today’s commemorative occasion in the presence of our veterans and to pause for a moment and remember the sacrifices made by our gallant troops with distinction in very difficult circumstances in and around Kokoda.”
The veterans are also planning to visit Isurava during their weeklong stay in PNG.
The six veterans are Joe Dawson, Peter Holloway and Harry Barkla of the 39th Battalion; Peter Hutchison and Lionel Smith of the 2/14th Battalion; and Alan Hooper of the Papuan Infantry Battalion.
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