THIS year’s Vietnam Veteran’s Day was unlike any other, primarily because it was the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement.
Secondly, because it elicited a very public apology from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said, “we honour you, we thank you and we are so sorry it took so long as a nation to do so”.
Both Boonah and Kalbar’s RSL sub-branches held services alongside their respective War Memorials, where veterans laid wreathes and members of the public came to show their support.Boonah RSL president David McMaugh said the day was a ‘significant occasion’ for those who served in South Vietnam and in the waters off both North Vietnam and South Vietnam.
“Today more than 60 years have passed since Australia’s first involvement in what became known as the Vietnam War,” he said.
“It commenced with early deployment of surgical teams in 1962 to Saigon, as well as advisors.
“All in all 42,437 Australians served in the army in South Vietnam, 3,310 navy and 4,443 RAF personnel.
“There is also civilian surgical teams and civil aid teams provided by the Australian Government to add to those figures.
“Today in our sub-branch we have eight Vietnam vets and we focused on Allan Pascoe at this year’s commemoration.
“Allan was a royal engineer Sapper and is now our sub-branch historian.
“Vietnam and national service go hand in hand and we have in our sub-branch several national servicemen of that vintage who also served in country.”
He also reminded those gathered at Boonah’s war memorial on Friday of the human cost of this commitment.
“There were 523 dead, 2,400 wounded and a legacy of PTSD and stress left behind and that toll must never be forgotten,” he said.
“And every one of us at that time knew someone who was a casualty.
“There were very large impacts throughout Australia in those losses, so today we stand here in remembrance and reflection.”
Kalbar too stood still at 11am last Friday. Its local RSL sub-branch’s call to pause and reflect on those who served in the Vietnam War drew veterans and family members to the war
memorial on Edward Street.
Here naval officers and foot soldiers stood side by side, bonded by experiences few others can understand.
Gail Fysh wore her late husband Gregory’s medals and represented him at the Kalbar memorial.
This year Kalbar RSL Sub-Branch welfare officer Steven Pace presented medallions and certificates to some of the veterans, and a widow.
The certificate thanks them for their ‘selfless service and sacrifice’ and is signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor General David Hurley.
“Their experiences during and after the war are a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served our country and the debt of gratitude, we owe each and every one of our veterans,” Mr Albanese said.
“Many of our troops returned to face new battles at home and not every one of those battles was won.
“It is important as Australians we know the stories of service in Vietnam and what our veterans faced when returned home.”