Veterans retreat during Exercise Talisman Sabre

Photo By Janine Fabre | (Left to right) U.S. Army Master Sgt. Pierre Jackson and U.S. Marine Cpl. Jacobus Nieuwoudt fit the rail to the fence post at the Cockscomb Veterans Bush Retreat in Cawarral. United States military members from Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 Combined Exercise Support Group have lent a hand to the Cockscomb Veterans Bush Retreat, assisting its members with some camp maintenance. The Veterans Bush Retreat was founded in response to a need in the local Rockhampton community and its many veterans of the Vietnam War. Designed as a place to relax, the retreat has grown and can now cater for over 300 members in the Queensland area. The Combined Exercise Support Group is currently in Australia to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011.  

ROCKHAMPTON, QL, AUSTRALIA

07.12.2011

Story by Mark Doran 

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command         

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia - Troops from the TS11 Combined Exercise Support Group spent July 10 assisting veterans at the retreat relocate a 3000 gallon water tank, rebuild a 40m fence and helped update the maintenance of the grounds.

The idyllic retreat is a perfect spot for veterans to escape from the pressures of life and has been visited by veterans from all over Australia since 1997.

Vice president of the retreat committee, Tony Bennett, is an ex-infantry soldier and said they normally had a weekly working-bee at the retreat every Tuesday.

“Sometimes there will be one worker while at other times there will be 10 but when they get here there are no bosses and no pressure – the veterans can just sit and have a beer if they want,” Bennett said.

“We are now starting to have younger veterans come here so we dropped ‘Vietnam’ from the title of the retreat.”

CESG member Cpl. Jacobus Nieuwoudt said he had a blast helping out at the retreat and was enjoying representing the U.S. Marine Corps and Americans.

“The veterans here showed me the memorial by the flagpole with the names of local people who had served and died,” Cpl. Nieuwoudt said.

“I got a real sentimental feeling from this place and I would love to be able to come and visit again - the view of Mount Wheeler is just amazing.”

Lance Cpl. Jason Marks, 4RAR (Cdo), who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008, is among those remembered at Cockscombe Veterans Bush Retreat.

• Date Taken: 07.12.2011
• Date Posted: 07.12.2011 01:33
• Story ID: 73565
• Location: ROCKHAMPTON, QL, AU