Welcome Home Parade Brisbane 28 June 2008

[ozbob]

Caught the 8.39am service from Oxley to Central. Noted ballast train with two locos each end at Indooroopilly.
(main up).  Lot of work proceeding in the Indooroopilly Taringa section.

Arrived at Central on time and proceeded to Adelaide St to watch the welcome home parade for the troops who have served overseas in Iraq.

Some photographs.

Official Area On Arrival



The official guests arrived and members of the public quickly filled up Adelaide St from the viewing points.

Waiting for the parade to commence



Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is welcomed by  Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, Minister Judy Spence.
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force, is noted in the foreground greeting guests.



The Start of the Parade  Reviewed by the PM Kevin Rudd







Photographs R Dow 28 June 2008

Welcome home troops!!

After the parade we headed back to Central and boarded the 10.36am service to Ipswich.

Noted the ballast train at Indooroopilly had separated into two sections and was progressively ballasting the track.

Passed the down Westlander just before Sherwood.

Home at Oxley on time.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Hero's welcome for brave diggers


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Hero's welcome for brave diggers
Marissa Calligeros | June 28, 2008 - 11:00AM

More than thirty years since Australia's Vietnam veterans were denied a welcome home parade, and spat on for their services to their country, Australia's current crop of troops sent to fight in a foreign war have returned home to a hero's welcome.

In Brisbane's CBD thousands of people turned out to cheer more than 700 soldiers, recently returned home from Iraq, as they marched to the War Memorial in King George Square in the city.

While many in the crowd waved flags and yelled messages of support to the returning diggers, among those yelling loudest were former Vietnam vets Chris Brown, Popeye Sams and Ocker Greaves. They stood beneath a banner across the Adelaide Street pedestrian overpass that read "well done digger ... welcome home".

"We're here to show them the support that we were waiting for ourselves for years," Mr Brown said.

The three life-long friends saluted the soldiers with tears welling in their eyes.

"Welcome home boys, welcome home!" Mr Brown shouted above the rapturous applause from the crowd.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson were among the dignitaries to pay tribute to about 700 soldiers who marched to City Hall for a civic reception.

Defence department personnel estimated about 8,000-10,000 people watched the parade, recognising the contribution made by defence personnel who have served with the Al Muthanna Task Group, The Overwatch Battle Group-West and the Australian Army training team in Iraq.

"Today the Australian nation says thank you to you, the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, for your service in Iraq," Mr Rudd told the troops. "You are the proud inheritors of the Anzac tradition which reaches back 100 years."

-- with AAP

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!


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So proud ... Toddler Bronte Dotter, 4, was among the crowds cheering home Australia's Iraq veterans in Brisbane. Pic: Sarah Marshall


Brisbane salutes Iraq heroes

Brisbane salutes Iraq heroes
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

Samantha Healy

June 28, 2008 12:25pm

AUSTRALIAN soldiers who served in war-torn Iraq were cheered by crowds of thousands at a Welcome Home Parade through the streets of Brisbane today.

About 700 soldiers - some who had only recently returned from duty in the war zone - marched along Adelaide Street.

Many well-wishers waved Australian flags and Welcome Home posters.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd took the official salute outside City Hall.

"Today the Australian nation says thank you to you, the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, for your service in Iraq," Mr Rudd told the troops.

"You are the proud inheritors of the Anzac tradition which reaches back 100 years."

Private Dean Smith marched as his Vietnam veteran father Grahame Smith, of the Sunshine Coast, watched.

Private Smith said he was happy to be home and honoured to see such a strong turnout of veterans who had served in previous conflicts.

'"It is really great to be able to come home to such an amazing welcome from the public," he added.

His proud father said it was important to see so many veterans lining the parade route in support of a new generation of service personnel.

"It is good to see these soldiers receive such a positive welcome home - unlike the one we received," Mr Smith said.

"In 30, 40, 50 years time these young men and women will be the ones marching on days like Anzac Day."

Queensland premier Anna Bligh was due to welcome home the troops but suffered an injury when she fell during her morning run.

Police Minister Judy Spence took her place, saying the premier needed time to recover.

She said Ms Bligh was a bit bruised and had been taken to hospital for a check-up but was not seriously hurt.

Also on the official podium were Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, Chief of the Australian Defence Force Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston, Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General Peter Leahy and Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

The parade marked the end of the Australian Defence Force deployment in Southern Iraq by the Al-Muthanna Task Group, the Overwatch Battle Group West and the Australian Army Training Team.

The soldiers and their families later attended a civic ceremony in King George Square.

[ozbob]

QR ran a special IMU 166/169 to transport the troops on the Ferny Grove line for the welcome home parade.