Monday, May 8, 2017

AFTER MAJOR CORAL SEA BATTLE ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY... NEGLECT AND FORGET

The  scene  soon   after   official  ceremony May 1 .

However, the  wreaths  about  Townsville's official  Coral  Sea  Battle memorial   at  3pm on Monday  May  8  presented  a  sad   picture  of  official  neglect . While it is accepted that  flowers  fade ,  you  would think that  somebody  in authority-the Townsville City Council , Townsville Enterprise Limited , RSL and  Navy  League  -  had  enough  nous  to  daily  check  the  site to see  that   things  were  in  order .   
 
 One of the stand out unsatisfactory  situations was the LEST WE FORGET  wreath , above photo ,  consisting  of  a  banner  in a  circle of poppies , tipped on its side  .  The  sash on  the  wreath  from  the United States , centre ,  was  twisted and  obscured . Cards   bearing  the  names of   those who placed  floral tributes , including  the   Governor-General and  wife,   had  become  twisted .  Leaves  from   surrounding    trees   had    been  blown   into   the   array .
 
The  wreath  laying  took place  in  a  dawn  ceremony on Anzac Park  and if   the floral  tributes  continue to be left unchecked   for   much  longer they   will present  an even  sorrier   sight   and   continue   to   reflect  badly on the   garrison   town .   Don't expect  the local media to  pick up  this story as  it involves actually  going  to  the  waterfront-an  apparent  no   go  zone,  repeatedly revealed by  our S(h)ipping  Reporter .  Meanwhile , the  forgotten  Coral  Sea   aircraft  carrier  anchor  nearby , donated to Townsville by the USA   to mark the  50th anniversary of  the battle  ,   continues to  rust  , its   badly  corroded  plaques  unable  to  be  read  .