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Page 2 of 4 For the ‘Return of the Vampire” Dinner we were joined by the Officers and Senior NCO’s of 1st Field Hospital. The old and the new merged together and although a ‘bit’ of stirring was inevitable it was in good spirit and everyone had a great time. Serving members of the Unit, who were on Parade the next day, had to leave the dinner at a reasonable hour but those not on Parade seized the opportunity to party on, and party on they did! (I have never seen anyone dirty dance with polystyrene Bat Logo before. Where was that camera when I needed it?) The speeches and other formalities of the evening were soon disposed with and it was ‘on with the party’ - dancing, talking, drinking, laughing, more drinking and the night continued till the wee hours of the morning. It was good to see that the fine Unit tradition, begun in SVN, of “Eat, drink and be merry” has been maintained through the years. SUNDAY, April 5th
After the Barocca Brekkie, we all headed off to 1st Field Hospital, in buses, for the 30th Anniverary Parade, Memorial Dedication Ceremony and BBQ lunch.
A UNIT ON PARADE
The Unit put on a magnificent demonstration of a mock battle and a field medevac. The troops then went on Parade, including the Corps Mascot, a donkey, Private Simpson. One could not help but feel a sense of pride as the troops marched past. To our astonishment, though, Pte Simpson disgraced himself on the Parade Ground by evacuating his bowels (on the Parade Ground) as he passed the Official area. As the spectators looked on, rather bemused, one Vet was heard to say, “Strewth, I’ve always wanted to do that!”In all seriousness, an emotional time, for Veterans and serving members alike, came at the end of the Parade when the members of the Association lined up to one side and applauded the current members of the Unit from the Parade Ground. This acknowledgement of ‘their service’ made the current members of the Unit feel very proud, in fact one comment was “It made me feel ten feet tall!”
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Reunions 
