October RSL Monthly Newsletter

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Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines www.rslangelescity.com ‘Lest We Forget’

President Vice Presidents

Secretary Treasurer Editor

James Curtis-Smith Greg Mann Bob Barnes

Email address’:

Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel president@rslangelescity.com

secretary@rslangelescity.com treasurer@rslangelescity.com

Dallas Drake Ron Parrott

editor@rslangelescity.com

Larry Smith

www.facebook.com/rslacity

NEWSLETTER # 67 ** OCTOBER 2012 PRESIDENT’S REPORT – October 2012 Sometimes we feel pride and emotion at what we have been involved in.

Members of this Sub Branch have for the last four years conducted Children’s Medical Missions at poorer Barangays (suburbs) in and around Angeles City. We have become quite experienced and streamlined in the conduct of these missions, supported from monies raised by us from our weekly raffles and the annual Australia Day Fiesta. We arrange and supply free examinations by medical professionals and give free medicines, vitamins, worming tablets etc. to the children attending. In addition at such missions and by word of mouth, we have been able to identify permanently incapacitated children eg cerebal palsy, and have given away new wheel chairs. At the Barangays, we donate new nebulisers and capsules for use free by the Barangay Medical Officer for children and others having asthma attacks. Through a local philanthropic medical practitioner, we have donated and arranged distribution of mosquito nets to families living in squatter and impoverished areas and which has resulted in a dramatic drop in dengue cases in those areas.

2 In the last four years, in excess of 30,000 (more likely 40,000 taking into account we used to do them in bars initially, ed) children have directly received benefits through this Sub Branch.

For those of us who have retired and are active in these missions looking for a continuing purpose, we get a “feel good” aurora after such missions. We have become experienced and streamlined in the conduct of these missions and so many of our members have accepted responsibilities for some part of our missions on a continuing and regular basis. From the conduct of the raffles, the planning and conduct of the Australia Day Fiesta, the planning and instruction to Barangay officials in arranging the set up for the missions, the attendance on the day at the missions, the WAGS who attend, the nurses etc etc each of us have a job and feel satisfaction upon doing and completing our particular task.

This last month, at our mission at Barangay Balibago, our Vice President Greg Mann was advised by the nurses doing examinations, that one of the children who had “gone through the system” was profoundly deaf and had been so since birth. About 12 months or so ago, one of members Dennis Barron based in Perth WA handed to us about 20 late model hearing aids which he had been given from a local Lions Club in Perth and which we had really not quite got around how to distribute or find needy people who could benefit from their use.

The Committee authorized Greg to ascertain the cost of employing local professionals to appropriately fit the hearing aids and whether they would benefit this particular child.

On October 7, I received a report from Greg which moved me and so many others who have read the report since. His report is set out below. ▼ Thursday afternoon (Oct.4) I took 6 year old, Jasmine Reville and her mother to the Henson Ear Clinic for a hearing aid fitting. Jasmine has never heard before. The 1 hour appointment resulted in Jasmine getting 2 hearing aids.

The story of that hour is a gratifying experience I will never forget!

Jasmine sat quietly while being fitted and tested. When the ear piece and controls were finally in place, the technician turned them on. At first Jasmine looked frightened and bewildered. She looked around the room for the source of some music playing. Then her mother spoke to her and said "Jasmine, I love you." The little girl looked at her mom and broke into a huge smile and ran over to Mom and hugged her.

Everyone was smiling, with teary eyes.

I received a follow-up text from her mom yesterday and she said Jasmine is wearing the hearing aids every day. (She is only to wear them in the house the first week). Mom said she was listening to music, dancing and starting to speak a little.

The hearing aids were graciously furnished by our new member, Dennis Barron, who brought a number of them from Australia. The RSL sponsored the fitting appointment which cost only 1,500 pesos and includes monthly adjustments at no charge.

All RSL members should feel proud that we can help in this and so many other ways. Please let me know of any other potential candidates for these hearing aids. It makes such a difference!

Greg Mann Vice President

3 URGENT URGENT LATE ADVICE We will have to postpone our next Children’s Medical Mission at Barangay Anunas on Saturday November 3 due to nurses not now being available due to the annual ALL SAINTS day rituals. Regret late notice, we have just been advised ourselves.

On October 11 2012, one of our members, Colin Savage, passed away after a long battle with cancer. To his widow Emily and his family the Sub Branch extends our condolences. An RSL service was held at Galang Funeral Home, on October 15. Vale, Colin.

The prize list for our giant Australia Day Fiesta Raffle has now been finalized and tickets are now being printed. We look for support from our members in not only purchasing some tickets but also in selling to friends and associates.

Tickets will be distributed for sale in early November.

Similarly the distinctive polo shirt produced each year for the Fiesta is also being manufactured and also will be on sale and distributed next month.

That’s it for the month.

JAMES E. CURTIS-SMITH President

NOVEMBER 11th is Remembrance Day and our Sub Branch observes that occasion.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2485 Angeles City will be holding a commemorative service at Clark Cemetery on this day. See their flyer posted on page 10 of this newsletter.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS We welcome the following new members: Cameron McPhie (A/C) * Charlie Forbes (SA) * Peter Horne (A/C) * Rex Harrison (A/C) * New Life Subscriber: John Peeters * Robert Savage (QLD) *

4 RSL EVENTS SCHEDULE NOVEMBER 1012 Weekly CHARITY Raffle NOW EVERY Wednesday at Emotions Nite Club at 6.00 PM. Phillies Sports & Grill Raffle every Saturday at 6.00 PM.

3rd November MEDICAL MISSION SATURDAY

NOW POSTPONED

Tuesday 5TH Nov 2012 AUSTRALIA DAY FIESTA & General Committee 1.30pm Ponderosa (all members welcome) 4.00pm EMOTIONS & TOC SUNDAY Nov 11TH 11/11/ARMISTICE DAY REMEMBRANCE DAY 11.00 AM AT CLARK VETERANS CEMETERY Tuesday 13TH Nov 2.00pm Ponderosa Social Tuesday 3.00pm GENTLEMANS BAR & ERUPTIONS Tuesday 20TH Nov Monthly General Meeting 2.00pm Ponderosa Social Tuesday BRASS KNOB & STAMPEDE/CHERRY'S SUNDAY 25 Nov FAMILY DAY,BBQ, FISHING VISIT CLINTS FARM P100/VEHICLE ENTRY BYO OR BUY F&B THERE Tuesday 27TH Nov 2.00 Social Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00 BODY SHOP /ANGEL WITCH/ ROADHOUSE

SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER MEDICAL MISSION AT STA MARIA 1, DOWN TEODORO ST

HERE IS THE LIST OF DONATED ITEMS FOR OUR GIANT AUSTRALAI DAY FIESTA RAFFLE. Tickets will go on sale soon

1. SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 TOUCH PHONE DONATED by PARADISE BEER GARDEN 2. SUNDAZE LOUNGE FURNITURE.. RSL 3. 12K ACCOMMODATION VOUCHER by ORCHID GROUP 4. 4 NIGHTS B/F FOR TWO DONATED by CAMPBELL RESORT 5. 5 NIGHTS W/MEALS DONATED by BRASS KNOB HOTEL 6. 5 NIGHTS + F/B ALL 50% OFF BOOMERANG HOTEL 7. LADIES & GENTS WATCHES DONATED by JOHN POWER 4 AUSTRALIAN VISAS 8. 2 NIGHTS BALOY BEACH DONATED by BLUE ROCK RESORT 9. CANON POWER SHOT A1300 DIGITAL CAMERA DONATED by ANZ BANK 10. 2 NIGHTS B/F DONATED by WALK ABOUT HOTEL 11. P5,000.00 BANK ACCOUNT ,DONATED by CHINA BANK 12. LARGE ESKY 62Lt..DONATED by GARFIELDS 13. MARKS DEEP FRYER MDI-35PWRII..RSL 14. IMARFLEX GRILLER GL-3400.. RSL 15. DOWELL TURBO BROILER TB-85025.. RSL

5 TO VIEW the pictures taken at our last Medical Mission, just go to: www.facebook.com/rslacity There are too many to reproduce in this newsletter

VALE TO COLIN SAVAGE A funeral service for RSL member COLIN SAVAGE was held at Galang Funeral Parlour on Monday 15th October 2012 COLIN passed away on Thursday 11 October after a long battle with cancer.

Colin started his working life as a knock-about ‘jack of all trades’ but finally ended up as a valued Northern Territory Public Servant (or as he called it ‘pubic serpent’) with the NT Correctional Services and as a Ministerial aide.

He wrote a few words about himself at the request of our president James Curtis-Smith to use as a eulogy.

To get a look at who Colin was, read those words that was intended to be used in part or full as his eulogy. These can be read at our face book: http://www.facebook.com/rslacity

Monday, 15 October 2012 VA085

VETS RETURN TO NORTH AFRICA FOR 70TH ANNIVERSARY PILGRIMAGE Twenty-one Australian Second World War veterans will depart for Egypttomorrow as part of a special commemorative journey marking the 70thanniversary of the Battle of El Alamein and the North Africa campaigns.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, said he felt privileged to be sharing this journey of reflection with the veterans, saying that for some, this would be their first time returning to North Africasince they served there in 1942.

“This commemorative visit will mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein and the end of Australian involvement in the North Africa campaigns– a series of decisive actions that helped defeat the Germans in the Middle East – and honour the contribution of the thousands of Australians involved,” he said.

Mr Snowdon said the group would participate in commemorative activities including an Australian service at the 9th Division Memorial to honour lost mates, and services at the CommonwealthWar GravesCommission El Alamein War Cemetery alongside Allied counterparts.

6 “We will also participate in a range of other activities including a visit to the El Alamein MilitaryMuseum, a battlefield tour, and a visit to a Defence base in Dubai to meet current serving Australian Defence Force members deploying to Afghanistan,” he said.

The veterans represent the three service arms involved in the major actions in North Africa: Bardia, Libya in January 1941, Tobruk from April to December 1941, Syriafrom June to July 1941 and El Alamein from July to November 1942.

In Bardia, the opening battle, the Allies were victorious and captured some 40,000 Italian troops. The Australians then took part in a successful and rapid advance against Italian forces capturing Tobruk. In April, after a successful advance by German and Italian forces, members of the Australian Army’s 9th Division, who became known as the ‘Rats of Tobruk,’ dug in for a siege that lasted eight months. In Syria,men mostly of the 7th Division, fought against the Vichy French, defeating them at Damour on 9 July.

In El Alamein the Allies launched a major offensive that would force the Germans to retreat and ultimately abandon their campaign in North Africa. This final action of the campaign was not without cost– more than 1,100 Australians were killed between July and November, almost 200 listed as missing in action and more than 3,600 wounded.

“On the 70th anniversary of North Africa campaign, I encourage Australians to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those involved, including the some 3,000 Australians who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We owe them a great debt of gratitude and promise to never forget,” Mr Snowdon said.

This is the reason these veterans went to North Africa below.

Second Battle of El Alamein The Second Battle of El Alamein took place over 13 days from 23 October – 4 November 1942 and the Allies' victory marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. It followed the First Battle of El Alamein which had stalled the Axis advance into Egypt, after which, in August 1942, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery had taken command of the British Eighth Army from General Claude Auchinleck. The Allied victory turned the tide in the North African Campaign and ended Axis hopes of occupying Egypt, taking control of the Suez Canal, and gaining access to the Middle Eastern and Persian oil fields.

By 12 July 1942, after its success at the Battle of Gazala, the Panzer Army Africa, composed of German and Italian infantry and mechanised units under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, had struck deep into Egypt, threatening the British Empire's control of the Suez Canal. General Auchinleck withdrew the Eighth Army to within 50 mi (80 km) of Alexandria to a point where the Qattara Depression came to within 40 mi (64 km) of El Alamein on the coast. This gave the defenders a relatively short front to defend and secure flanks, because tanks could not traverse the Depression. Here, in early July, the Axis advance was halted in the First Battle of El Alamein.

Eighth Army counter-offensives during July were unsuccessful, as Rommel dug in to allow his exhausted troops to regroup. At the end of July, Auchinleck called off all offensive action with a view to rebuilding the army’s strength.

In early August, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Sir Alan Brooke—the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff—visited Cairo and replaced Auchinleck as C-in-C Middle East with General Sir Harold

7 Alexander. Lieutenant-General William Gott was to command the Eighth Army, but was killed before taking command when the transport plane he was travelling in was shot down by Luftwaffe fighters; Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery became Eighth Army commander.

Faced with overextended supply lines and a relative lack of reinforcements, and well aware of massive allied reinforcements in men and material on the way, Rommel decided to strike the Allies while their build-up was incomplete. The two armoured divisions of Afrika Korps and a force made up of the reconnaissance units of Panzer Army Africa spearheaded the attack but, on 30 August 1942, the Allies stopped them at Alam el Halfa ridge and Point 102. The attack failed in this second battle at the Alamein line, better known as the Battle of Alam el Halfa (commonly but incorrectly Alam Halfa); expecting a counter-attack by Montgomery's Eighth Army, Panzer Army Africa dug in.

The factors that had favoured the Eighth Army's defensive plan in the First Battle of El Alamein, the short front line and the secure flanks, now favoured the Axis on defence. [12] Rommel, furthermore, had plenty of time to prepare his defensive positions and lay extensive minefields (approximately 500,000 mines) and barbed wire. Alexander and Montgomery were determined to establish a superiority of forces sufficient not only to achieve a breakthrough but also to exploit it and destroy Panzer Army Africa. In all the previous swings of the pendulum in the Western Desert since 1941, neither side had ever had the strength after achieving victory in an offensive battle to exploit it decisively: the losing side had always been able to withdraw and regroup closer to its main supply bases.

After six more weeks of building up its forces, Eighth Army was ready to strike. 220,000 men and 1,100 tanks under Montgomery made their move against the 115,000 men and 559 tanks of Panzer Army Africa.

Allied plan

Operation Lightfoot

With Operation Lightfoot, Montgomery hoped to cut two corridors through the Axis minefields in the north. One corridor was to run in a southwesterly direction through the New Zealand Division's sector towards the centre of Miteirya Ridge, while the second was to run in a westerly direction, passing two miles north of the western end of Miteirya Ridge and straddling the 9th Australian and 51st (Highland) Division sectors. Armour would then pass through and defeat the German armour. Diversionary attacks at Ruweisat Ridge in the centre and also the south of the line would keep the rest of the Axis forces from moving northwards. Montgomery expected a 12-day battle in three stages: the break-in, the dogfight and the final breaking of the enemy. â—„ 24 October 1942: Australian 9th Infantry Division in a posed attack. (Photographer: Len Chetwyn).

For the first night of the offensive, Montgomery planned for four infantry divisions from Oliver Leese's XXX Corps to advance on a 16 mi (26 km) front to an objective codenamed Oxalic Line, overrunning the forward Axis defences. Engineers would meanwhile clear and mark the two lanes through the minefields, through which the armoured divisions from Herbert Lumsden's X Corps would pass to gain the Pierson line. They would rally and temporarily consolidate their position just west of the infantry positions, blocking any armoured interference in the infantry battle. They would then advance to the Skinflint area in the depths of the Axis defences and astride the important Rahman lateral track to challenge the enemy armour.

Phase one: the break-in Prior to the actual barrage, there was a diversion by the 24th Australian Brigade, which involved the 15th Panzer Division being subjected to heavy fire for a few minutes. Then at 21:40 (Egyptian Summer Time) on 23 October on a

8 calm, clear evening under the bright sky of a full moon, Operation Lightfoot began, but not with a 1000-gun barrage—as in popular belief—nor with all guns firing at the same time. The fire plan had been carefully planned so that the first rounds from the 882 guns from the Field and Medium batteries' would land across the entire 40 mi (64 km) front at the same time. After 20 minutes of heavy general bombardment, the guns switched to precision targets in support of the advancing infantry. The shelling plan continued for five and a half hours, by the end of which each gun had fired about 600 rounds For the full details of what happened at El Alamein, which is too large to reproduce in this newsletter, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein

Fears for troops' care in medical rejig Date October 2, 2012 - Daniel Flitton Surgeons fear the quality and continuity of care for troops will be compromised by what is seen as a cost-cutting move.

SOLDIERS wounded in Afghanistan and returned home will be among thousands of military personnel caught up in a backlash against the outsourcing of medical services for the Defence Force.

Surgeons fear the quality and continuity of care for troops will be compromised by what is seen as a cost-cutting move.

Insurance giant Medibank was awarded a four-year, $1.3 billion contract in June to take over the running of health services for the Australian Defence Force, including referrals for specialist care.

Military doctors on bases had previously referred ill or injured personnel directly to qualified civilian specialists, including for general, plastic or orthopaedic surgery. Those referrals were usually based on ties between medical colleagues stretching back years and the reputation of particular surgeons.

But under the new system - set to begin on October 28 - Medibank will provide a central call centre to make referrals to ''preferred specialist providers''.

Surgeons with existing military patients have until the end of this week to agree to sign up with the new system, run by Medibank Health Solutions, or face being barred from treating ADF members, according to letters obtained by The Age. But the onerous demands for a three-day turnaround for written reports under the new arrangements, coupled with a cut in fees, has meant many specialists are believed to have so far refused to join.

The Australian Society of Anaesthetists met at the weekend and is understood to be planning a complaint that notification of the changes was given only last month.

The military provides free healthcare, including dentistry, to all serving in uniform. The changes will affect the 80,000 personnel and reservists across Australia but not troops on overseas deployments.

Ian Boyd, from Medibank Health Solutions, declined to say how many specialists had so far signed on to the network or how many would be needed. But he defended the demand for a quick turnaround of reports and was confident of winning over an ''appropriate number'' of specialists.

Those who signed the agreements will be preferred but Dr Boyd said rare exceptions could be made. ''We certainly don't want to interfere with the doctor's clinical treatment,'' he said, adding he was very happy with the response so far.

The changes follow an Auditor-General's report last year that found Defence spent around double that of the wider community on health - a cost explained in part by the need to ensure troops are ready for deployment.

Doctors are reluctant to speak openly about their concerns, fearful of being portrayed as greedy.

But one specialist told The Age the changes risked depersonalising the doctor-patient relationship as well as the bond between medical colleagues.

Specialists had previously charged the Defence Department according to the scale set by the Australian Medical Association. The department said in a statement it was not aware of any concerns raised with Defence Minister Stephen Smith and would ensure continuity of care during the transition period.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/fears-for-troops-care-in-medical-rejig-2012100126vk4.html#ixzz28CNSLi4u ▼▼▼

9 The new arrangements have caused quite a stir within the community. Here are a couple examples of letters to the editor to the Queensland Courier Mail on 19 th October 2012. I couldn’t agree more with the comments below. It was headed ‘Óur Brave soldiers deserve better than this’ Ed So now the Federal Government wants to pay doctors caring for our soldiers, less than those looking after refugees (C-M Oct 18). What a disgrace for the men and women who keep us safe. What happened to the Aussie value of looking after your mates? Come on Julia Gillard, these soldiers protect you too, so why don’t you priortise Aussies for a change. Maybe their trip home from tours of duty should be via Christmas Island so they can get a higher level of help. This can’t continue. We give our soldiers less all the time, but commit them to more actions. Jason Taylor.

Runcorn.

I am an ex-serviceman (with private health insurance) and must express my dismay and concern that the rabble in Canberra have gone a step too far in their penny pinching attempts to balance the budget. It is a disgrace that the proposed cuts to medico fees would put the level of fees available to doctors and specialists treating our servicemen at a lower level than that available to treat asylum seekers. Has Labor and the faceless ones in Canberra gone mad ? Surely, our servicemen deserve better than this. They should not have to be concerned about such basic things as their health care. Wake up Canberra. Michael Knight Victoria Point

Free advertisements for our sponsors donating prizes for our giant raffle (more next page)

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The two whackers below paraded themselves around last ANZAC Day in Brisbane looking like this.

Twins Jack and George Hines arrested for allegedly masquerading as war veterans Brooke Baskin, Kieran Rooney The Courier-Mail September 28, 2012

TWIN brothers who allegedly masqueraded as war veterans were yesterday charged by Queensland police. ◄ARRESTED: Twins John and George Hines.

Source: The Courier-Mail

A police spokesman said two men aged 68 were charged with falsely representing to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman and improper use of service decorations under the Defence Act of 1903.

It will be alleged Jack and George Hines, born on April Fool's Day in 1944, had marched alongside veteran SAS soldiers at this year's Anzac Parade in Brisbane.

During the march the pair were photographed together displaying their medals.

It prompted complaints from a member of the public who claimed one of the medals in the photo was really a surf lifesaving medal from the US. It is alleged the twins served only in the Citizen Military Forces and did not join the Australian Regular Army or serve overseas.

Police searched the men's homes at Beenleigh and Oxenford, south of Brisbane, where a large quantity of military paraphernalia was seized, on Tuesday.

Both men are due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 10. (and they did and was adjourned so they can be assessed by a shrink) The Act states that if found guilty, the brothers could face up to a year in jail along with hefty fines.

The Act governs legal technicalities related to the armed forces, including how ranks of different countries can be compared, who can be compelled to serve and how medals and service may be represented.

Vigilance brought these two wannabe’s down. A picture was taken with a ‘real’ veteran in the lens for authenticity, then apparently the lot was sent off to ANZMI (Australia & New Zealand Military Impersonators) for follow up action. Got em. Our veteran community are very happy at this stage with the charging of the pair. Ed

A BIT OF COMPUTER INTERNET ADVICE

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E-Mail Tracker Programs Here is some good advice from a computer technician. We have all been guilty of doing the following no-no’s.

Any time you see an email that says "forward this on to '10' (or however many) of your friends", "sign this petition", or "you'll get bad luck" or "you'll get good luck" or "you'll see something funny on your screen after you send it" or whatever --- it almost always has an email tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and emails of those folks you forward to. The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' email addresses to use in SPAM emails or sell to other Spammers. Even when you get emails that demand you send the email on if you're not ashamed of God/Jesus --- that is email tracking, and they are playing on our conscience. These people don't care how they get your email addresses - just as long as they get them. Also, emails that talk about a missing child or a child with an incurable disease "how would you feel if that was your child" --- email tracking. Ignore them and don't participate!

Almost all emails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards. All it was, and all any of this type of email is, is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and Spammers -- to validate active email accounts for their own profitable purposes.

You can do your Friends and Family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them. You will be providing a service to your friends. And you will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam emails in the future!

Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listing regardless how inviting they might sound! Or make you feel guilty if you don't! It's all about getting email addresses and nothing more. â–źâ–ź (next page)

13 Also, when you do get something good from someone and want to send it off to friends, use the BCC facility and before you press SEND, delete all the addresses of the original email if it contains other email addresses. This shortens your email, plus stops the proliferation of other email addressees.

UPDATE ON OUR SUB BRANCH SUBMISSION OF OUR TREATMENT BY ACT BRANCH Re the Angeles City correspondence which had been referred to the National Council (Item 8) for consideration, the President advised that the matter had been considered, decided it was the problem of ACT, but would now be taken over by the Victorian RSL Branch. Angeles City Branch would receive advice from both ACT and Victorian Branches on the matter.

The above is an extract from ACT Branch meeting recently referring to our Sub Branch submission about ACT Branch treatment of us. We are still awaiting official correspondence regarding our transfer to the Victorian Branch. Well done to our President and Secretary for pushing this through.

What a soldier eh. The Gurkha’s are admired by all armies for their tenacious attention to duty. And he was humble about it all too.

The medal is well deserved.

Ed

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LOOKING FORWARD We will soon be distributing information about our upcoming Australia Day Fiesta. Final arrangements are in train and tickets for the Giant Raffles will go on sale soon. It has been decided not to run the beauty pageant this year. Due to the prize money that is available, competitors were difficult to encourage to participate.

Our distinctive RSL Australia Day Fiesta shirts will be on sale soon.

This fiesta has proven to be a very popular activity and it involves the whole community. The best part is, it manages to get much needed funds into our charity account so that our Sub Branch can conduct its community charity projects, as outlined in the presidents report. *****

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CHILLI COOK-OFF AT LA UNION The annual chilli cook-off (chilli spelt the Australian way) is being conducted on 24th of November, which is sponsored by VFW Post 9892 Bauang La Union.

Our Sub Branch is on the lookout for a team of three or (better) four members to attend and give the Americans a run for the first place. Commander Post 9892, Tom Darkus reckons his team will beat the pants off any contenders, so let’s prove him wrong.

This year the theme is Merchant Marine Special Chili (their spelling) after the merchant marines, who earned their reputation in blood, doing the Atlantic convoys during WW2.

This will be the 21st annual cook-off and the venue is provided by the Bali Hai Beach Resort. As per normal, as there are drinks and food available at the venue, private stocks are not to be brought in.

Sub Branch will pay the entry fee and provide the ingredients, and the team members are provided with our shirt.

The chilli cook-off is not confined to team members, everyone is invited to attend. There has never been a bad report from those attending the last 20 cook-offs. It is always a good day out. Most attendees make the most of the trip and spend a few days in Bauang enjoying the atmosphere.

The cookers fire up at 0830 hours on the 24th of November and whilst the cooking is in progress, there will be a ‘Miss Chili Pepper’ bikini contest around the pool (very enjoyable).

Request nominations for the team to Secretary Dallas in the first instance. Contact him on cell: +6309165243084.

ALMOST THE VERY LAST CHANCE Everyone knows what I am going to write here, right?. Yep correct. November (and we think

15 th

around the 7 ) is your last chance to change your membership for ordinary, with the annual increases, to Life Subscriber, with no more annoying increases. 2013 will see a large increase on the life subscriber and ordinary membership rates. So come on. Hop to it !!!

Contact Dallas Drake on cell # +63-0916 524 3084 for a ‘by age’ quote NOW. TIME TO PUT A SMILE ON YOUR DIAL My daughter just walked into the living room and said, "Dad, cancel my allowance immediately, rent my room out, throw all my clothes out of the window, take my TV, and stereo, and iPhone, and iPod, and my laptop.

"Please take all of my jewelry to the Salvation Army or Cash Converters. Then sell my new car, take my front door key away from me and throw me out of the house. Then disown me and never talk to me again.

"And Dad, don’t forget to write me out of your will and leave my share to my brother.

Well, she didn't put it quite like that... she actually said.... "Dad this is my new boyfriend, Mohamed."

DISCLAIMER The Angeles City Sub-Branch of the R&SLA, the Committee and the Editor take no responsibilities for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies contained in this newsletter. Nor do they accept any liability for loss or damage suffered directly or indirectly for use of information contained in this newsletter. Nor do they warrant that articles or opinions published in this newsletter are necessarily the opinions held by the Sub-branch, the Committee or the Editor

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”

Lest we forget