SHANNON LEADS THE WAY

Chronicle (Levin), 18 December 1946, Page 3

SHANNON LEADS THE WAY

R.S.A. REUNION RECALLED Speaking to returned servicemen throughout the Dominion through the official journal of the R.S.A., Mr. B. J. Jacobs, Dominion president of the N.Z.R.S.A., pafd a remarkable tribute to the second war members of the Shannon branch in presenting their recent reunion in the honour of the World War I and South African War members. In his report of the reunion, Mr. Jacobs said: "Many times as a result of my visits to the various local associations I have remarked on the fact that in nearly every instance their functions have offered some novel characteristics in the manner in which they were carried out. It remained, however, for the comparatively small branch at Shannon .to. stage the most unique and at the same time the most-, encoqraging gathering of exservicemen itriias been my pleasure and privilege to attend. Frankly, I have been rather concerned 011 ,the score of the possible failure of the younger generation to capture the spirit.. that,, has enabled us To preserve ,'jthe d as'spdiatlon -..over.- the: years. * ; ' "The fullest possible' answer was supplled by the Shannon R.S.A. on November 23. -To say' the least, their younger generation is endowed with admirable enterprise and imagination. What they did was really simple, but to them goes the honour of supplying the initiative and creating the inspiration — it is they who translated their idea into delightful and successful activity. All they did was to develo.p the conception ihat it would be an excellent gesture for the young reiiows 10 enueriain the old chaps. And did they do it? The greatest possible credit is due to those who were responsible. Their only misfortune was that His Excellency Sir Bernard Freyberg could not attend.

"They prepared and pnntea a remarkable souvenir programme, which abounded in the, humour that ex-servicemen all enjoy. The evening was enlivened by a party of entertainers from the Wellington Tin Hat Club. The attendance I should say easily constituted i record, and must have afforded the organisers the utmost satisfaction. Their speeches would have warmed the hearts of each one of us who have legislated for their active participation in our affairs, and for their ultimate ^assumption of full control. I saw many old friends at the show, and I hope I made a few new ones. It was a grand evening. I found myself wishing all my colleagues at headquarters could have been there. I express _a sincere 'Thank You' and an enthusiastic 'Bravo' to the World War II men of Shannon."