VISIT TO SYDNEY BY LIEUTENANT GENERAL NETHERLANDS MARINE CORPS

ROB ZUIDERWIJK, CHIEF OF NETHERLANDS NAVY

NESWA NSW branch veterans and their wives/partners had the pleasure of meeting the General and his wife on 1^st February 2008, unfortunately being a miserable wet morning.

Lou van Westende and his wife Mandy and Vince Scheenhouwer and wife Lynne traveled all the way from Canberra and Brisbane respectively to attend the meeting Vince brought the COM banner with him.

The General and his wife were met by a contingent of Dutch veterans at Martin Place Sydney at 1100

He was greeted by our National President Paul Couvret and Lieutenant Colonel Caro Lefevre, the Defence Attaché and then introduced to Tony van Grieken, NSW President, the commander of the group of veterans

Unfortunately due to the inclement weather the wives/partners had to seek shelter inside the hotel.

In turn Tony introduced the General to the group of veterans whom he spoke to one by one.

Paul Couvret then introduced the General to the Consul General Margariet Bot, her partner

Dr Edmond Ruitenberg and the Consul Paul Thépass.

After the formalities were over Paul Couvret addressed the gathering welcoming the General and his wife and expressing our thanks for he taking out time to meet the veterans.

In turn the General responded expressing his pleasure of meeting the veterans.

One minute silence in memory of our fallen and passed away comrades was observed.

Wreaths were then laid by the General and Paul Couvret/Tony van Grieken.

Subsequently all were invited for light refreshments and drinks in the Westin Hotel (formerly

General Post Office), which was thoroughly enjoyed by all and gave everybody a chance to talk

to the General.

CALENDAR of EVENTS - CLICK HERE