Memorial Day Service - May 28, 2006 - 1:45 pm
Thirty-one Americans and friends met at the Victorian Shrine of Remembrance for a Memorial Day Service on Sunday May 28th. The American Civil War Roundtable provided a color guard and escort for a march up the steps to the Sanctuary of the Shrine. This is especially noteworthy as Memorial Day started under General Order No. 11 of General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1868 to bring together the peoples of the north and the south to We gathered here today in observance of Memorial Day, to set aside a few minutes to remember and to honor those brave men and women of all wars, who died defending our nation, it’s people and their way of life.  Major Richard Hunt, USAF, representing the US Consulate General read the proclamation of President Bush dedicating this day to the memory of those who died preserving our freedom. Wreaths were laid by Major Hunt, the American Civil War Roundtable, and Thom Lyons, Vice-President of the American Ex-Servicemen's Association. All present vowed not to forget the sacrifices made for us by those who died in defence of freedom. 
Commodore Dacre Smyth AO, RAN (Ret), Life Governor of the Shrine expressed his respects for holding our service at the Shrine, appropriate with the close alliance of the Australian and American peoples and militaries, especially since World War II. Following the service, twenty of the group met for a reception at the home of one of the service members. Our sincere thanks go to the Shrine of Remembrance, the American Civil War Roundtable, and the US Consulate General for their support of this observance.
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