Courage, sacrifice remembered

It has been more than four decades since Australian troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam in November 1970, but almost 43 years later the memories live on for thousands of ex-servicemen, particularly ahead of Vietnam Veterans Day next Sunday.

Vietnam Veteran and Rockingham councillor Allan Hill said it was important to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and suffered mental-illness injuries in one of the 20th century’s most unpopular wars.

“It was one of those things that you never told your friends or family about until years later,” he said.

“There were so many suicides after Vietnam and it caused so many social problems — it’s vital that we recognise what happened, and make our peace with it.”

Vietnam Veteran Kevin Tonkin said attitudes towards the war, which left almost 4000 Australians killed or injured between 1962 and 1970, had changed over the years.

“When we went there we thought that we were there to fight communism,” he said.

“But later, we thought ‘what are we doing here?’ It’s great that the community will come together to organise a memorial event.”

The memorial service, scheduled for next Sunday, will recognise those who fought for Australia in Vietnam in the 1960s and 70s, said Rockingham RSL branch vice-president and master of ceremonies for the day, Lyndon Jackson.

“The day’s event will be something similar to Anzac Day — veterans and military personnel will form up at 10.30am,” he said.

Local RSL clubs, the Totally and Partially Disabled Veterans and the navy’s band will all take part on the day.