From the WIA, original post here.
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) has sent a sympathy message to our colleagues in Belgium, a country hit by the recent terrorist bombings. The two nations have been close since World War 1, where Australian soldiers fought with them, and repeated the effort in WWII.
Through its IARU member society UBA (Royal Belgian Amateur Radio Union), it was part of the WIA ANZAC 100 program, to commemorative the Centenary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs).
The letter was to Philippe Haverhelst ON8PV, who told us about how many Australians now visit Polygon Wood, the ‘Brothers in Arms’ memorial and stop at the ANZAC Rest Cafe, often tracing the footsteps of family members who served in the area.
To honour the Polygon Wood and its memorial, a commemorative callsign OP0PPY was activated on April 25, 2015 – ANZAC Day. The WIA letter of sympathy reads: “We are saddened to hear the news of the terrorist attacks in your country. This is short note is to say that our thoughts and prayers are with you, the Belgian people and those who have been lost or injured by these despicable acts. We stand in solidarity with the Belgian people as we have done in years previous.”
It was signed by Fred Swainston, Vice President, Wireless Institute of Australia.
Philippe ON8PV, in his reply has expressed thanks for the WIA support “in these difficult times”, and echoes disbelief at that it involved public places knowing that there were children present.
The WIA thoughts were sent by him to the UBA President, Claude van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie ON7TK.
More on the ANZAC 100 involvement by that and other stations can be read here.