For many the Vietnam War has been consigned to history but for those who fought in the conflict, their families and the communities which lived through it in towns like Narrabri Shire’s, memories still weigh heavily.
The memories were given renewed focus on Sunday when our Vietnam veterans’ service and sacrifices were honoured at the annual Vietnam Veteran’s Day commemoration ceremony.
Vietnam Veteran’s Day was observed at the Narrabri RSL Club War Memorial along with Victory in the Pacific Day.
Narrabri RSL sub branch president Gary Mason was pleased with the large attendance at the service, particularly given Sunday’s many events which drew families to other commitments.
Several Vietnam War returnees attended the ceremony and an address by one, Richard Barry gave a graphic picture of the war and its toll.
“The personal cost is immeasurable,” said Narrabri’s George Sanderson, who served in Vietnam.
Mr Sanderson, a National Serviceman, was an infantry Lance Corporal and a section commander in Charlie Company, 3rd Royal Australian Regiment.
He was in the midst of the action, seeing mates die and wounded during his ‘tour’ of Vietnam.
Narrabri Shire contributed many personnel to the war over its ten year duration.
Only a handful of Vietnam era service people were present among the audience for Sunday’s ceremony led by Narrabri RSL sub branch president Mr Mason, a RAN serviceman of the Vietnam era.
Guest speaker was Richard Barry, a National Serviceman who served in the war.
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War began with the deployment of advisors in 1962 and the troops finally withdrawn in 1973, was controversial.
However, the troops who served, regular Army and National Servicemen, undertook their duties in the best traditions of their country’s involvement in war.
Almost 60,000 Australians served during the Vietnam War, and 521 of them died with a further 3,000 wounded. On the Vietnam troops’ return to Australia, to compound the stress and trauma of war service, they were criticised and often vilified.
Many former Vietnam servicemen carry deep psychological scars from the war to this day.
Returnees spoke of their bitterness with their treatment by sections of the community.
However, recognition of their sacrifices and appreciation for their service was finally given.
By 1987 attitudes to the war had changed. Vietnam veterans were given a welcome home parade in Sydney. Some 25,000 veterans marched to the cheers of several hundred thousand onlookers.
Five years later, in 1992, a National Memorial for the Vietnam War was unveiled on Canberra’s Anzac Parade.
At Sunday’s Narrabri ceremony, speakers from Narrabri Public, Narrabri West Public and St Francis Xavier’s schools gave well researched presentations on the Vietnam and Second World War.
Narrabri High School captains Layten Smith and Georgia Goodhew are regular speakers at commemoration ceremonies, but are in the midst of important HSC trial exam preparations and sent apologies on Sunday.
