The 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan made this year’s Vietnam Veterans Day special, but the frustration with the last-minute cancellation of the battlefield commemoration by the Vietnamese government was evident among Narooma’s veterans.
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Narooma RSL sub-branch president Paul Naylor opened proceeding expressing his disappointment with the news that broke only the day before that more than 1000 Australian veterans gathered in Vietnam may not be able to visit the sacred site due to the Vietnamese government sensitivities.
“It’s a kick in the guts,” Mr Naylor said. “Last I heard a couple of the diggers would be allowed to go. I just hope it doesn’t affect people who are still going through rehabilitation.”
Post traumatic stress disorder will still affecting veterans after all these years with traumatic memories forged on the battlefield so hard to to put aside.
“They taught us how to fight and they taught us how to shoot but they didn’t teach us how to come home,” Mr Naylor said.
Among those present for the commemoration at Narooma was Vietnam veteran Trevor Bennett who stood alongside Dennis Smith, who was wearing the medals of his father Col, who died four years ago.
Trevor and Col were both in Vietnam around 1969 and both made it back to Narooma. Trevor said he was proud to see Dennis wearing Col’s medals and that is what his old mate would have wanted.
“My dad was an extraordinary bloke and this day meant so much to him,” Dennis said.
Trevor reflected on how difficult it was to go over to a foreign land where some gave the ultimate sacrifice and those that survived didn’t have it easy when getting back.
“I lost five friends in Vietnam and we had a lot of guys wounded,” Trevor said. “Dennis’ father was one of my best mates and I watched how hard it was for Dennis and his brothers and sisters because Col had a lot of problems through Vietnam. And I think it’s important that we are gathered here today and stick together.”
Narooma RSL sub-branch continues to support all veterans including survivors of modern-day Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns, this week handing over $13,500 raised at the recent Red Poppy Ball to RSL Lifecare and the Homes for Heroes program.
“We’ve got to band together as a band of servicemen and make sure we are all surviving and looking after one another,” Mr Naylor said.
The youngest in attendance on Thursday were Narooma Public School captains Erica, Sienna, Oscar and Kurtis and principal Paul Sweeney took the time to talk to them about the different campaigns and groups recognised on the Club Narooma War Memorial.