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Christmas goodies for service personnel overseas
Although the majority of Kiwis are now back home from service in Timor
Leste there are still some 350 servicemen and women and Police overseas
on operational postings who this year will miss a traditional New Zealand
Christmas with their families and friends.
As a small gesture to remind them of home, RNZRSA has once again packed
parcels of hometown goodies for each of them. The project, an ongoing
annual commitment, has, as in the past, been financed by the generous
donations received from RSAs and individuals throughout the country.
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| WITH CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM RNZRSA: The stack
of gift parcels ready fro dispatch to HMNZS Te Kaha now patrolling
in the Gulf of Oman is flanked by packers: (from left) Stephen Clarke,
Denny Morris, Mary-Claire Lowe and Pat Herbert. Other volunteers included
Ann Heath, MaryAnn Spillane, Francis Lepper, Charles Waugh and Jim
Tait. |
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This year the parcels were packed by the staff of RNZRSA Headquarters
assisted by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers.
Once again RNZRSA is indebted to the New Zealand Defence Force for organising
the transport and distribution of the parcels ensuring they arrive at
their destinations before Christmas. And that is no mean feat considering
their final locations are Afghanistan, Antarctica, Bosnia, Cambodia, Iraq,
Laos, Lebanon/Syria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Sinai, Solomon Islands,
Timor Leste and Yugoslavia, not forgetting the crew of HMNZS Te Kaha now
operating in the Gulf of Oman.
Contributions to the Christmas Parcel Project for NZDF and Police personnel
serving overseas have been gratefully received from the following RSAs
and individuals. Their generosity is greatly appreciated.
| Dannevirke & District RSA |
Papakura RSA |
| Devonport RSA |
Papanui RSA |
| Far North RSA |
Papatoetoe RSA |
| Geraldine RSA |
Seatoun RSA |
| Gore District Memorial RSA |
Stratford & District RSA |
| Greymouth RSA |
Swanson Memorial RSA |
| Hamilton RSA |
Taihape & District RSA |
| Hastings RSA |
Takapau & District RSA |
| Kawakawa & District RSA |
Takaka RSA |
| Kerikeri RSA |
Taradale & District RSA |
| Manaia & Districts RSA |
Taupo RSA |
| Marlborough RSA |
Upper Waitaki RSA |
| Matamata RSA Women's Section |
Waipawa District RSA |
| Mosgiel Memorial RSA |
Waitara RSA |
| Naenae RSA |
Welsford Memorial rSA |
| Nelson RSA |
Whakatane RSA |
| Ngaruawahia RSA |
Whakatane RSA Women's Section |
| Onehunga RSA |
Whangarei RSA |
| Opotiki RSA |
Woodville RSA |
| Orakei RSA |
Mr & Mrs R&N Brownson, Tauranga |
| Palmerston North RSA |
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Further donations will be acknowledged in the February 2003 edition of
the RSA Review.
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A Christmas message from RNZRSA
National President David Cox
MBE
On behalf of the members of the National Executive Committee and staff
of the Royal New Zealand Returned Service's Association I extend the warmest
of Christmas greetings.
Many families will enjoy being united with all members for their first
Christmas together for some time. Others will be continuing to make that
long distance contact which is so very important. No matter what your
situation, may you have complete success in your efforts to make this
Christmas exactly what you desire.
To those of you serving your country goes a special thought and thanks
for that extremely important contribution you are making for our nation.
If you are overseas, away from your loved ones, we hope that the small
Christmas pack will bring us closer to you.
To the people throughout our beautiful land attending to those less
fortunate in hospitals, rest homes and in their own homes, our heartfelt
thanks for your dedicated work so very often unseen or acknowledged. Bless
you all.
To one and all of the membership, their families and the people of New
Zealand, I extend a deep and sincere wish for a joyous Christmas with
many memories and a happy, successful and peaceful year 2003.
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