Hello All,

FYI ... I was unable to have a camera available after all, to take photos ... BUT, not to worry, as a gentleman there took many and promised to send me copies ... for which, in gratitude, I dropped a roll of Canadian Poppy Quarters in his pocket to say thank you Of course we'll need to find a working scanner, once we receive them, before I can upload some of them for your hungry eyes ...

I don't know how to express myself about the reunion, except to say I feel extremely honoured to have been accepted and welcomed to such a personal and private event for these wonderful "Kangaroos" ... yes, I chatted some of them up ... and the most emotional/powerful moments for me were hearing the Last Post, the 2 minute silence ,,, in which my mind and heart were all over the place, especially with these "Kangaroos" ... (I did a little reading about the Kangaroos in prep for knowing better who I'd be meeting )

GEOFF ... YOU I must thank most ... for inviting me along, and for sharing this event, and these wonderful people and experiences with me. It was food for my heart, mind, and soul.

As for the Kangaroos, well, I think I'm in love with all of them now ... The Royal Winipeg Rifles, who I think of as my family's regiment, now has competition. They MUST make room for the Kangaroos. I insist

Contrary to what SOME folks may say, who were there, I hardly paid any attention to Rupert at all at that reunion as I only had eyes (mostly) for the Kangaroos ... and now I'm paying for it as he's giving me the total silent treatment :

As for Mark and Denise ... it was one another wonderful highlight moment to meet you both. FINALLY and AT LAST!!!

Picture this:

Mark sipping coffee, Denise beside him, me across the table from him, watching him furiously writing ... personally inscribing all the Kangaroo books ... and me thinking, "Well ... my goodness ... he truly IS a hairy-faced beast ... (but a rather NICE one) I'm glad I got to share this event with Mark and Denise ... (Denise ... you are a delight!!! I hope we can meet again!)

Well ... I think what stands out most in my mind is the faces of the Vets ... and when they were chatting with each other, I had no problem at all seeing them in their youth together "over there" ... the spirits and memories of those young boys still live ... you only have to be with them to spot that!

Enough for now ... I just sort of freeflowed here ...

Will post photos as soon as is possible ... which may take some time yet ... please be patient. I know that Hanno ... YOU must especially want to see photos. I'll be sure and email copies of the original scans to you as soon as I have them.

Lest We Forget.

Karmen