Vic: Ageing vets refuse offer to shorten march

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2006
Vic: Ageing vets refuse offer to shorten march

Second World War veterans .. many into their 80s .. have refused an offer by organisers
to shorten Melbourne's Anzac Day parade.

DAVID MCLACHLAN .. Victoria's RSL president .. says last year's march was shortened
to help the aging veterans.

But older veterans say they'd prefer to join the parade as it nears the Shrine of the
Remembrance where the commemoration service is held .. if they can't make the entire march.

Major-General MCLACHLAN says their spirit is incredible .. but the march is very physically
demanding.

Up to seven-thousand-500 Second World War World veterans are expected to take part
in this year's commemoration in Melbourne .. joining veterans of wars in Korea .. Vietnam
.. Iraq and Afghanistan .. and former members of overseas peacekeeping forces.

AAP RTV jmw/cp

KEYWORD: ANZAC MELBOURNE (MELBOURNE)

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