It was supposed to be a gathering of all the Valley clubs and a big day out for Vietnam veterans ... instead a sprinkling of people stood well apart but together at the Nambucca Heads cenotaph for a brief moment.
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Thus, in these COVID-19 times, the 521 Australian soldiers who died in Vietnam (out of 60,000 troops) were remembered, among them the 18 who died in the Battle of Long Tan, which took place on this day, August 18, 54 years ago.
In the crowd was Hyland Park's Brian Duncan OAM, whose tour of duty saw him land in June 1965 for 12 months.
"The thing that has stayed with me is how draining jungle warfare was ... you were on alert 24/7, you never knew what was around the corner," Brian said.
"We all smoked heavily and when we were out on operations there were no showers or changes of clothes - sometimes it was 28 days ... you can imagine how whiffy we were!
"We lost nine of our guys - I think of them everyday".
He said while he personally had felt little of the ill-will directed at many Vietnam vets upon their return, the timely, compassionate treatment of returned servicemen and women remains an issue of great importance with room for improvement.
"There are still hold-ups and glitches in the Department of Veteran Affairs that add to the stresses of returnees. Plus you have to adapt to normal life, having been spoon-fed for years ... it is not easy."
Nambucca RSL Sub-Branch President Mick Birtles DSC said it was because of the cold shoulder so many received, that Vietnam Veterans' Day was important.
"Many Vietnam veterans were spurned and some were made to feel ashamed of something they should have been incredibly proud of," Mick said.
"Thankfully, due to the determination of veterans and their families, the nation has reflected on this ingratitude and the negative perception of this war has been reversed."
After the laying of the wreaths and a minute of silence, the anniversary was over for another year.
* Vietnam Veterans continue to serve their communities in many ways, such as the Long Tan Bursary, which provides education support to the children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans, helping them gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue their chosen career.
Applications for the 2021 Bursary are currently open and eligible descendants of our Vietnam veterans can apply online at avcat.org.au/scholarships/
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
