At the invitation of Australian Secretary of Defense Dennis Richardson and Adm. Ray Griggs, vice chief of the Australian Defense Force, 35 Michigan State University students participating in the Australia Comparative Study Abroad Program laid wreathes on Feb. 4 at the Australian-American Memorial in Canberra, Australia’s capital.
Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the monument, more than 240 feet high and topped with a large American eagle, in 1954. Australian citizens have contributed to the monument to recognize more than 1 million American military personnel who passed through Australia in World War II, headed for the Pacific battlegrounds.
Students and program leaders John Hudzik, professor of criminal justice, and Reggie Sheehan, professor of political science, selected three students to place a commemorative wreath. The three are currently serving members of the U.S. armed forces: Marine Sgt. Ryan Grams, Army Spc. Linda Tung and Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Sian.
Hudzik and Richardson then jointly laid a second wreath on behalf of MSU. These were the first wreath presentations at the memorial by American students.
While in Canberra, students had numerous field trips, including: the Australian High Court (its Supreme Court), where the chief justice spoke to students and took questions, and the Australian Parliament, where students were addressed by Sen. Kate Lundy.
Numerous other senior officials and academics also addressed students on a wide variety of topics. The six-week program, which began in Sydney, will move to New Zealand for its last week.
The MSU Australia program is held annually, and Richardson suggested the wreath laying become a yearly event.