KERANG RSL president Rob Sutterby understands how difficult it can be for veterans to reintegrate into civilian life.
At a small branch set to commemorate this morning, Mr Sutterby says Anzac Day can be one of the few chances returned service members get to feel appreciated for their service.
“It can be one of the few days that you feel like you can be out and be seen, especially for a lot of the younger veterans that have been in conflicts that now aren’t seen as entirely socially acceptable,” he said.
“Isolation is one of the biggest issues you can get as someone leaving the defence force, and Anzac Day is a good chance for people to feel respected for the work they were asked to do.”
The Kerang dawn service will begin at 6am at the town’s Atkinson Park cenotaph and be followed by a “gunfire breakfast” provided by Kerang Lions Club.
Marchers will assemble in the areas surrounding the town’s memorial clock from 10am before the march starts about 10.45.
The branch has 18 members, and Mr Sutterby thinks that number could grow as perceptions of the RSL change.
“Being so small, it’s all about getting those younger veterans involved and making them feel welcomed,” he said.
“I’m the only one here under the age of 50, so I know it can be a bit of a hard one. The RSL has been seen as the sort of place you don’t go to until you’re in your 50s, but we do a lot of really good stuff for people no matter what their age is.”
Mr Sutterby said teaching children about the importance of Anzac Day was integral for Australia’s future generations.
“I have young kids, and they have a very strong concept of what Anzac Day is and what it should mean, a lot stronger than I did as a kid.
“When I was young all we really knew about was Gallipoli, but my kids come home from school and tell me that they learnt about the guys who went to Afghanistan or Timor. One of the biggest crimes we can do is forget history, because then we’ll be cursed to repeat it.”
Cohuna RSL will hold a dawn service to take place at 5.45am at the cenotaph in Market Street.
The march and commemoration service will take place at the RSL memorial garden. Marchers should meet at Cohuna post office at 9.30.
Cohuna RSL secretary Kathy Easton said she would remember her two great uncles who lost their lives in World War I.
“It’s the first year I’m going to be able to wear both of their medals.” she said.
“I knew another cousin had them, but they’d just kept them hidden away so I asked to borrow them. I’ll be giving them a shine up before wearing them in the march.”
