VICTOR FOUR COMPANY

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The venue was the Parklands Motor Lodge complex, 28th-30th March 2025. 

The welcome was in the conference room, and after a few drinks and a formal welcome by Squirrell, 20 pizzas arrived. Makan Lah. Next day, the Memorial Service started around 9am and was conducted by Fite & Pagey who opened proceedings with prayers, the NZ & Aust National Anthems. The blessing of our ‘7’ Portraits by Pagey was followed by a very emotional segment of the weekend. Each speaker told a bit about each guy in varying stages of their lives, some on how they were killed and other personal stories.

Presenters were;

  Wayne Williams………His brother Jack Jeb

Rowley……………..Don Frith

Dicko…………………….Murray Turnbull

Moeke Paaka………….Jerry Barrett

Fite……………………….Pete Rauhihi

Squirrell………………..Mo Paenga

Goldy…………………….Stan Kidd.

Judy O’Connor read out The Mighty Quin’s Message.       

We had another new addition, Open Forum’, which began with Phil O’Connor reading out Pete Ramsay’s submission;’

A Toss of a Coin’, where Sherman Smith tossed a coin on the Horseshoe to determine who would go on R&R and who would lead that fateful patrol with the ARVN in November 1969.

   
Other speakers followed and, on many occasions, referred to our ‘7’ and incidents involving them. True words spoken from the heart. The ‘In Memoriam Lists’ were read by Johnny Edwards & Churchy. With the 7 Roll of Honour and 86 passing since our RTNZ, it totals 93.

AFVM (Armed Forces Vietnam Murupara) played the last Post after which Pagey conducted the closing prayers followed by the laying of poppies to the music of Whakaria Mai & the Man from Vietnam composed and sung by Dennis Marsh. Fite concluded the Whakamutunga (final words).

A service for Lima Karaka was held at the local cemetery & was officiated by Fite & Pagey, poppies laid on all veteran’s, prayers & respects. The NZ Flag was flown. The Last Post/Ode/Rouse & formalities were repeated.

On return, it was a case of changing into the glad rags, grab your chilli bins of grog & chairs & gather around the cooks & gas up large as the hot sun bore down. Ron, Bruce & Squirrell did the cooking honours. To pass the time away, a hole was dug about 25 metres away, with a V4 flag behind it and a ‘Pitch n Putt’ competition began. With 3 golf balls, anyone who got a hole in one would get a bottle of wine at the RSA. There were 3 rounds. Some did some trick shots, landing in the swimming pool enclosure which was 90 degrees to the Tee! I estimated that there were 1,697 swings but the ball only moved 393 times. However, we had one Lydia Koh, Pat Symons who was the only one to score an ace. Well done, Pat. A lot of laughs and a good time had by all.

What a great Tokaanu Turangi RSA. Danny Edwards (Vice President & V6)  ensured our wishes were met. For the first two hours, we were having drinkies and enjoying the company of each other. At 6pm, Moeke & Len recited the ode followed by the piper who played a bagpiper’s lament. After that, we retired to the dining area, where Squirrell proposed a toast to absent friends. Duncan McKenzie did a mihi (welcome speech) & his Cuzzy Bro sang our song, The Green Green Grass of Home. Another emotional moment. A lovely buffet dinner with a variety of pastries for dessert.

A bit of a sleep-in on Sunday with everyone gathering at the restaurant for a coffee ‘fix’ and leftover sausages around 9am. Suddenly, the Murupara DJ blasted the complex with Credence Clearwater Revival Music (Vietnam era) with Fortunate Son and others. Sleeping civilians would have thought, “WTF?” His last song before we departed was ‘The Mighty Quin’. Pagey closed our reunion on his experience of this reunion and a final prayer & blessing. Fite wished us all a safe journey, then the emotional time & teary eyed of saying goodbye began. What an absolute amazing & emotional Reunion. While we age, the camaraderie amongst our guys, wives, partners & whanau continues to grow with every meeting.

Arohanui (Forever Love) 
Kia Kaha (Be Strong) 

TURANGI 2025