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Thank You. Vietnam Veterans' Day
This Sunday (18 August) is Vietnam Veterans’ Day. In communities across Australia veterans will gather to remember mates, share memories of service and again, for many, relive the darkest days of Australia when these brave young men returned from war to be set upon by hostile protesters.
While this special day for Veterans of the Asian War does not attract the public attention or recognition of Anzac Day, communities across Australia are increasingly supporting local veterans for marches or wreath laying ceremonies.
Such was the length of the war, the ages of our veterans ranges from varies greatly. The youngest are now in their early sixties but others are entering their nineties. Too many have passed.
Between 1962 and 1975 almost 60,000 Australians, including ground troops and air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam. More than 3,000 were wounded and 521 died as a result of their service.
Following the withdrawal of combat troops in 1973 a small number of Australians remained in Vietnam to staff the embassy until 1975, when RAAF humanitarian flights were called in to evacuate staff as North Vietnamese forces descended on the city.
The last Australian to “step off” Vietnam was a member of the RAAF aircrew evacuating embassy staff before Saigon fell.
While Australia’s military involvement in the war ended in 1973 the official keeper of Australia’s war record, the Australian War Memorial, records the war as 1962-1975.
The years immediately after the war is a period of great shame for Australia. Veterans were treated poorly by the Australian community and for many physical and mental issues associated with their service were left undealt with. Today communities recognise that these young men and women served their country, both as volunteers and as conscripts, and their courage and sacrifices deserve the highest regard.
Military Voice is proud to thank veterans and their families for their service.
