Mates for life

By Kath Gannaway
THE opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice of each of the 521 Australian servicemen killed in the Vietnam War was one of the main purposes behind Vietnam Veterans’ Day gatherings.
“We need to ensure that the community is reminded of the sacrifices involved in war, and the effects that war has on a society,” guest speaker and Vietnam veteran Jim Bourke said during his address at the Yarra Valley Vietnam Veterans’ Day Combined service held at the Lilydale cenotaph on Sunday.
“We particularly need to ensure that the younger generations understand the impact of war,” he said.
Mr Bourke was the driving force behind Operation Aussies Home which was established in 2002 and ultimately saw the repatriation of the remains of six Australian soldiers who, after almost 40 years, are now at home on Australian soil.
Veterans marched to the cenotaph led by the Rats of Tobruk Pipes and Drums band and proceeded to the cenotaph through an honour guard formed by National Servicemen (Nashos).
Mr Bourke said around 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam from 1962 until 1975 and almost 4000 New Zealand military personnel served between 1964 and 1972, of whom 37 were killed.
Mr Bourke spoke briefly of the reconciliation and finally, recognition many years after Australian soldiers returned, often to poor treatment. He also told of the day the war in Vietnam finally ended for him – 7 September, 2009 when the last of the six missing soldiers, Flying Officer Michael Herbert was buried in Adelaide.
He spoke longest on the lingering effects of war on the Vietnam veterans, including those who took their own lives, or died young. He said they could quite sensibly be added to the base figure of 521 Australian deaths in Vietnam.
He also mentioned the war’s effect on their families, who through what he called a snowballing effect also became casualties.
“Some 36 years after the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam, there is still much to do to ensure that veterans and their families get the support that they are entitled to,” he said.
He said the third group of people who should be remembered in the reflections of Vietnam Veterans’ Day, were the veterans who helped other veterans.
“Volunteers work in fields of advocacy, pensions, rehabilitation and welfare,” he said.
“Daily veterans are helping veterans, helping families and widows; wives and partners of veterans are helping each other and veterans are helping current serving members as they return from operational service,” Mr Bourke said.
To the 521 men who made the supreme sacrifice, he said “You are not alone and nor are your families; you are in the hands and the hearts of your mates who stand by your side.
“They will always look after your back as you looked after theirs.”
Wreaths were laid by representatives of Yarra Valley RSL sub-branches and other service organisations and local, state and federal government, and poppies placed by veterans, their families and members of the public.
The Yarra Valley Vietnam Veterans’ Day Combined Service is an initiative of the Vietnam Veterans Community, Outer Eastern Sub-branch Vietnam Veterans Association, Healesville, Lilydale, Upper Yarra, Warburton and Yarra Glen RSL sub-branches and the National Servicemen’s Association.
Yarra Glen RSL Sub-branch will host the 2012 service.