50 years after the fall of Saigon, veterans asked to share their stories and experiences
AUSTRALIA’S military effort in the Vietnam War ended in December 1972, when the last of the troops returned home.
The following month, the Governor General proclaimed his country’s involvement in the war was at an end.
The last combat troops, those left to guard the Australian Embassy in Saigon, returned in June 1973.
And the last time Australians stepped into the Vietnam theatre of war was on Anzac Day, 1975, when the RAAF airlifted embassy staff out of the country in an exercise, which in preceding weeks, had flown humanitarian missions to aid civilian refugees and orphans.
After 10-and-half-years the war was over but for those involved in the fighting and their experiences on their return home – the lack of respect, the protests, the insults – are memories that linger for a lifetime.
While a commemorative service is held annually by the Rosewood RSL sub-Branch to honour those who served and fell, and those who served and returned home, the service planned for Sunday, August 17 at the Rosewood Memorial Hall has a point of difference.
Vietnam veterans have been invited to speak to the crowd about their memories.
“They will be our guest speakers,” said sub-Branch Secretary Carmel Luetchford.
“It will be an opportunity for surviving veterans to share stories and enjoy the comradery of shared experiences,” she said.
“Some veterans don’t want to speak before a crowd, so we’ve encouraged them to write down their experiences for someone else to read out loud.”
The importance of sharing stories also comes with a reminder that many of the veterans are now in their 80s.
“Soon enough that will no longer be an option, and it would be a shame to lose those experiences,” Carmel said.
The Vietnam Veterans’ Commemorative Service will begin at 11am.
The catafalque party will be provided by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley.
All are invited to attend and are welcome to lay a wreath to recognise the service of Vietnam War veterans
A barbeque lunch will be held after the service.
Lest we forget
