Mr Blake is opposing council's plans to replace an unknown number of the established cherry trees with native trees.

The cherry trees would be replanted in another area of the park, away from the cycle/walking track that runs through the memorial walk.

Council officers have told Mr Blake that funding to relocate the path to the new location of the cherry trees might not be available for 10 years.

Mr Blake has worked on the Vietnam War Memorial Cherry Tree Walk project since the Bowral Parks and Gardens Advisory Committee initiated the project in 1996.

He said around 400 cherry trees have been planted over 10 years and a further 100 trees are to be planted next year.

Donated by family members and friends of veterans, service and ex-service organisations, each tree represents one of the fallen soldiers whose names are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The walk would have been completed if not for repeated vandalism of the trees.

"We have invested 10 years of our lives, our hearts and souls on the basis of council's word that it had 'given its enthusiastic support to the project'," Mr Blake said.

Mr Blake has used his network of Vietnam veterans around the world to launch a letter-writing campaign in support of the walk.

"I was embarrassed to once again have to appeal to the Vietnam veterans' community to save the walk," he said.

"What other council in Australia in its right mind would rip up dedicated trees in a memorial?"

Full story: SHN, Wednesday, October 25, 2006.