A tribute to the American Vietnam war veterans who volunteered to continue the fight against the communist enemy in a forgotten war in a forgotten African country.
Our numbers dwindle now and fade.
Will history prove a mark we made?
I doubt we'll merit but a line -
Just memories which are yours and mine.
But in our hearts we thought it right
To make a place for black and white.
Our cause, though just, our spirits strong,
Oh history, will you prove us wrong?
Le men deride and have no care,
We can with price state "I was there!"
Author David Blacker was a friend and comrade who served in the same regiment as Roger Capper during the Rhodesian Bush War and wrote the poem in 1984.
Dear Comrades
Everything is going well here at the Post and we really appreciate those of you that come to help on Wednesday and Saturday mornings to keep the building looking good. We welcome your continuing support.
Marv Suriff, Judge Advocate
Words from the Chaplain
In the Christian church, the week commencing this year on Sunday, April 5th, known as Palm Sunday and concluding on Easter Sunday, April 12th, is universally known as Holy Week. Palm Sunday is so-called because it celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the Jewish population spread palm fronds before Him.
During Holy Week, two days occur that are of particular significance. They are known as “Maundy Thursday” followed by “Good Friday.” The word Maundy is derived through Middle English, and the Old French mande`, both derived from the Latin mandatum.
The source of our term for the Friday before Easter, “God Friday”is not clear. It may be the corruption of the English phrase “Gods Friday,” according to Professor Laurence Hull Stookey. It is the common name for the day among English and Dutch-speaking people.
Apart from the solemn liturgical significance of these two days, some interesting customs surround them that date back centuries.
The Maundy Thursday celebrations in the United Kingdom today involve the Monarch (since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II) offering “alms” to deserving senior citizens, (one man and one woman for each year of the sovereign’s age) These coins, known as Maundy Money or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white purses. This custom dates back to King Edward I.
The red purses contain regular currency and is given in place of food and clothing. The white purse contains currency in the amount of one penny for each year of the Sovereign's age. Since 1822, rather than ordinary money, the Sovereign gives out Maundy coins which are specially minted 1, 2, 3 and 4 penny pieces and are legal tender. The service at which this takes place rotates around English and Welsh churches, though in 2008 it took place for the first time in Northern Ireland in Armagh Cathedral.
In many historical Christian countries, buns are rationally eaten on “Good Friday,” with the cross standing a is a symbol of the crucifixion. The custom is believed by some to pre-date Christianity, although the first recorded use of the term “hot cross bun” is not until 1733. It is believed that buns marked with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honor of the goddess Eostre` (the cross is thought to have symbolized the four quarters of the moon.) Eostre is probably the origin of the name “Easter.” Others claim that the Greeks marked cakes with a cross much earlier.
Bill Meisel
Chaplain