Page 28 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

28 The Gazette QARANC Association
5 Medical Regiment’s postcard from the USA
Ian Wishart RAMC, manager of 5 Medical Regiment’s football team reports on their sporting and cultural visit to the United States earlier in May.
In February, the Commanding Officer of 5 Medical Regiment authorised me to approach the Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) starting the ball rolling for our overseas visit to the USA. I planned the trip for both the men’s and women’s teams, so 33 of us in total and the date was set for 6–16 May, to Washington DC.
The format of the tour was to train each morning with cultural activity on the afternoon. The first game
for the men was against Fort
Belvoir. The Regiment was winning 3-1 with 10 minutes to go but unfortunately succumbed to a 5-3 defeat. 5 Meds player of the match was Cpl Liam Doak RE.
Our women’s team
played against a team
from the Arlington Soccer Association at the same
time and were unfortunately
beaten 2-1. The choice of 5 Meds player of the match was difficult to choose so it was decided Pte Abigail Render RAMC and Pte Laura Ross RAMC would be joint winners.
My thanks to the managers of both rival teams for their support.
Unfortunately, the second game
for our women was cancelled by the opposition which was disappointing but out of our control.
The cultural trips that took place included a tour of Arlington Cemetery and watching in awe at the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier. This is a must see for anyone travelling to the DC area. Our visits continued to the capitol building, the White House, Lincoln memorial and
his team for supporting us. A special mention to the referee, Jimmy Tosado who refereed this game for us.
Dave Nanney was working in the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. A total of 184 people died on that dark day both on the ground and in the hijacked aircraft. Dave gave us a tour of the memorial garden that has 184 illuminated benches and the memorial wall. He gave the most heartfelt talk including a personal recollection of the day. All members of the tour were humbled, and some reduced to tears as he spoke through his own emotions. Truly humbled Dave and thank you.
Finally, our thanks the QARANC Association and all of the other Corps associations and trusts whose funding and assistance made the tour the success it was. And to a few individuals in particular: Maj (QM) Nige Bamford, Ted Ogren, Leila Paterson, Andy Green, Dave Nanney, Jimmy Tosado.
Our visits continued to the capitol building, the White House, Lincoln memorial and the Vietnam memorial wall
the Vietnam memorial wall. Pte Ruby Brimecombe RAMC, the youngest member of our women’s squad, laid a wreath at the Vietnam Women’s memorial. And LCpl Dave Sackey RLC laid a wreath at the Vietnam memorial wall, where the names of the 58,318 service personnel lost in that conflict
are named.
The Men’s second and
final game was against the Pentagon Soccer Club (PSC) played a stone’s throw from the Pentagon building itself. Thankfully this was a win for the Regiment who defeated the PSC 2-0. This team play in their lunch break and round up players that are available so a big thank you to Ted Ogren and