ANZAC Ribbon grassroots ambassador Glenn Marskell's car shows we'll never forget

Glenn Marskell is a campaigner for veterans organisation ANZAC Ribbon and in his travels also supports WoundedWarrior4WoundedWarriors, Sydney Veterans Lodge, Cam's Cause, the William Kibby VC Veteran's Shed Cancer Council, KidzFix, Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and CanAssist.

His own 34-year struggle with Military PTSD, arising from his service to his country, led him to undertake the ANZAC Ribbon Tribute SS project to raise awareness that "not all wounds are visible".

The car is still a work in progress, but the graphical art is complete. It's a respectful tribute and 'thank-you' to a number of Australian servicemen.

Depicted are; Australia's 100th Victoria Cross recipient, the late Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG; Stephen Brinkworth, a veteran of Glenn's old battalion 5/7 Royal Australian Regiment; the late Sergeant Matthew Locke MG of 5/7 RAR, who went on to to become Special Air Service Regiment; the late Private Jesse Bird; as well as Glenn and the armoured personnel carrier that he drove; and his late grandfather, Vincent Cyril Morrison, gunner WWII Tank Attack Regiment 106.

Under the bonnet, are the signatures of people he served with. As well as; Bev Brock, wife of the late great racer Peter Brock; Pete Brinkworth, representing the Brinkworth family; Regimental Sergeant Major (Ceremonial) Battle of Long Tan Ross Smith; and Doug Baird OAM.

And now with its eye-catching appearance recently finished, he is looking forward to travelling around regional areas raising awareness of PTSD. As well as the benefits of assistance dogs for veterans, Glenn will have had Dakota for four years by October.

"This is my effort in raising awareness and my giving back to veterans. And saying 'not one more'," he said.

"If I can reach one veteran in one community, my job is a success, if that veteran isn't going to go away and take his life. I can point him in the direction he needs to go, if he needs an assistance dog or different organisations I've been associated with in my travels."

It's been rewarding. After taking the car to Crookwell - which has a large veteran and veteran-related community - he saw the biggest local turnout for something that wasn't Anzac Day or Remembrance Day.

And while reaching veterans is vital, the car is also doing its job by just being out and about.

"It's very humbling. I didn't realise the positive impact that it has had in the whole community - civilian as well as military," Glenn said.

"It has taken me a while to get used to it. I'll park the car in the street and go and do whatever my daily business is and I come back and people will ask if they can take a photograph of it.

"Which leads to asking the question of why I've done it and then I explain the story of the car. And the more people see it, the more awareness it creates - and that's a positive thing."

The ANZAC Ribbon Tribute SS is a 100 per cent self-funded, voluntary project, and Glenn said, "I want nothing for myself other than to continue the journey I'm on". But help with fuel to continue his campaign is appreciated.

Even though he's now a resident of Batemans Bay, he said "Mudgee is where my heart is". And expect to see the unique blue Commodore around, as he continues on his drive for awareness and on that "journey" - which is decades long.

"It is my passion, it is my therapy along with my assistance dog," he said.

"I'm classified as a grassroots ambassador for the ANZAC Ribbon and I'm very proud to be put up in that calibre of person. And everyday I grow.

"The more I talk about my story and the story of the car, veterans say 'I know what Glenn was like 20/30 years ago, this is a different man today'. And the car does that.

"Today, I'm a proud veteran, a proud advocate for veterans' issues. And that's what the car's about.

"'Lest we forget, never' and whenever this car rolls around we'll never forget."

Do you have something to say? We welcome your letters which may run in print and online.