Vale Veteran Demetri Friend - SAMVOZA

Infantry Officer between 1982 and 1996 at 3 SAI, Group 16 HQ, and Witwatersrand Command HQ..

(1957 - 2024)

(Garth Piennar - Facebook Post 2 April 2024 )

It is with great sadness that I inform you that our friend and fellow-Veteran, Demetri Friend passed away this morning at 5:00 a.m. He was an active member of the 61 Mech Veterans Association and worked tirelessly with me in trying to secure long outstanding medals for SAMVOA members in Australia and New Zealand.

His name was synonymous with the search for Veterans' medals and he was instrumental in securing long outstanding medals for many SAMVOA Veterans. May he rest in peace!
Our sincere condolences to his wife and family.
We will remember him.

A heartfelt message to the Demetri family from Veteran Tony Macquet.
Dear Nikki, Nikolai and the Demetri family,

We are deeply saddened to hear of Demetri’s passing and our sincerest condolences go out to you and your family. Demetri served his country exceptionally well as an Infantry Officer between 1982 and 1996 at 3 SAI, Group 16 HQ, and Witwatersrand Command HQ..

When I think of Demetri, I think of a man, who did so much for so many. Nothing was ever too much for him and he gave his all, in his passion to be of service to his fellow veterans.

Demetri was one of the first South African domiciled veterans to join SAMVOA, being an organisation of South African veterans that had started in Australia in 2003. He joined on the 5th May, 2012 and he became our first Regional Master-at-Arms for South Africa, and then Medals and Awards Coordinator. In this role, he became an absolute pillar, in terms of applying for, and getting medals awarded for South African Veterans, living in Australian and New Zealand.

To many, he was more than just a “Friend”, but a valued colleague who gave his all. Be assured that he will, not only be remembered for what he did for veterans, but more importantly, for being the person he was.
I had the honour of meeting Demetri at The View in Johannesburg on the 27th July, 2016, when SAMVO expressed our gratitude, by presenting a Distinguished Service Award to Demetri. Here is a photo of that occasion when I handed this award to him:

If at all possible, we would really appreciate an appropriate photo (mugshot) of Demetri, so that we can honour his memory in our Deceased Members section of the SAMVO Website?
Rest in Peace, Demetri.

Best Veteran regards,
Tony.
Veteran Tony Macquet MMM