Profound disgust at desecration of Canberra war memorials

I am writing to express my profound disgust and shame regarding the recent desecration of war memorials in Canberra with pro-Palestine graffiti.

This act of vandalism is deeply inappropriate and offensive. It stands in stark contrast to the respectful commemoration of the sacrifices made by Australians who have died in war for the sake of freedom and democracy.

On a personal level, the vandalism of the Vietnam Memorial is particularly painful.

As someone who served in that controversial war and lost many great mates, the defacement of this sacred site strikes at the core of our shared memories and sacrifices.

Since the incident, I have been inundated with calls and emails from fellow Vietnam veterans, all expressing their distress and anger over what has transpired. It is evident that matters have been deteriorating since October 2023, and this latest act of vandalism marks a new low.

For nearly three decades, since 1996, I have dedicated myself to the cause of gaining full recognition for the thousands of Vietnam veterans who served our country lawfully and with honour.

Our motto, “Respect the dead, but fight like hell for the living,” underscores our commitment to honouring the memory of the fallen while tirelessly advocating for the rights and recognition of living veterans.

The recent vandalism is not just an attack on monuments; it symbolizes a broader disregard for the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans.

Ignoring the needs and rights of living veterans is akin to the desecration of the dead.

It is a profound shame that many veterans feel ignored and neglected by the government, adding insult to the injury of their service and sacrifice.

It is imperative that we take decisive action to restore and uphold the respect and honour due to all veterans.

This involves not only repairing the physical damage done to our memorials but also addressing the broader issue of veteran recognition and support.

We must ensure that the legacy of those who served, both the living and the dead, is honoured without any further procrastination.

I urge you to take immediate steps to address these issues, reinforcing our commitment to respecting and supporting our veterans.

Let us work together to ensure that all veterans receive the recognition, respect, and care they rightfully deserve.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,
Richard Barry OAM, Narrabri
(Vietnam veteran and facilitator for 2500 NS Vietnam veterans)