ANZAC Day is always important for Max Brennan. But this one has added meaning for the National Servicemen’s Association Illawarra sub-branch member.
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Mr Brennan, of Dapto, lost his wife Gwen on Easter Monday and is really missing her. The ANZAC march at Jamberoo on Saturday morning was the start of a big weekend that will also see him attend the Wollongong march on Monday.
At Jamberoo Mr Brennan was able to take along his 1959 Willys Jeep. It is one of three he owns and maintains. To be able to use it in the march is always very special. “I am in the parade today. A gentleman is riding with me. I have been involved with jeeps for a long time. I go to swap meetings.”
Mr Brennan arrived early on Saturday and as soon he drove into town in his familiar green jeep people started waving to him from their yards and driveways. Then as he pulled up many came over to talk with a greet him. That is because he is still a familiar face around Jamberoo.
He grew up in the area and he and his late wife have helped out with the local football club for many years. “I am a life member. My wife was on the canteen here. We ran it out of kombi van. I went to Jamberoo Public School and then Kiama Central School.”
Mr Brennan maintains all the vehicles himself. He said long wheel-based jeeps like his were used in Korea. He is attending ANZAC Day events across the weekend because he said it was important to remember what so many brave men and women had done for this country.
“I feel sorry for what they went up against. I support parades like this and I support the RSL. I am a National Serviceman. I started in 1954 in Ingleburn. What happens is we were on call for 10 years after we did our service. I did two sessions … in ‘55 and ‘56 in Singleton. There were a few of us kids from around here who all did Nashos. I am a Jamberoo kid and I will always come here. It is a big part of my life.”
Mr Brennan said he was attending a National Servicemen’s Association meeting in Wollongong on Sunday and will attend the Vietnam Memorial and the Wollongong march on Monday.
“And they may ask me to take the jeep to the Kiama march.”
Mr Brennan said the ANZAC Day tradition must always go on.
“The big question is “why haven’t we got national service today?” You go in as boys and you come out as men. We are gave respected everywhere we went and we got respect. It was hard. They taught us discipline..there is no doubt about it. That is a thing we badly need today.”
