The sun sets over Tennant Creekl last Thursday.

Ron and Ailsa Vernon have become great friends of the Vietnam Swans in the past 12 months. Both attended this year’s 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match.

Ron, of course, is a Vietnam Veteran who played footy in Vung Tau during the War and was even a premiership player.

The other day, Ron contacted the Vietnam Swans to let us know that Ailsa’s sister, Val, died last Thursday night. Val, who had also attended the ANZAC Friendship Match with husband Brian and friend Hughie, had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage.

They were returning from a trip to Darwin where they watched the V8s. They had set up camp near Tennant Creek (north of Alice Springs) when Val unexpectedly collapsed. She was quickly flown to Alice Springs but there was nothing that could be done.

Val’s funeral will be held tomorrow, Thursday, 30 June.

To Ailsa, Ron, Brian and your families, all the Swannies are thinking of you during this especially difficult period. We trust that tomorrow’s funeral is as happy as it is sad as you celebrate the wonderful life of Val.

As a tribute to the life of Val, the Vietnam Swans shall wear black armbands at our next match.