Honouring and recognising the contribution of Vietnam Veterans

Today, 18 August, marks Vietnam Veterans’ Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. It marks a day when our Australian troops fought one of their fiercest battles of the Vietnam War.

They persevered through suffocating heat and humidity, trudging through drenching monsoon rains, facing an enemy that could come out of nowhere and vanish just as quickly. 

But their battle did not stop when they came home from the war. They were blamed for a war they didn’t start. Back on Australian shores, political and social unrest saw our soldiers shunned. There were protests where there should have been welcome home parades. It was a national shame, and it never should have happened. 

They came home and put their medals away. They hid them in the cupboard or stashed them in the sock drawer. Most did not talk too much of their service and for a long time their stories went untold. 

Even though some Australians turned their back on them, they never turned their back on us. They started families and pursued careers. Like generations before them, they took off their uniform but did not stop serving. They became teachers and police officers, ran community groups and sports clubs, and were the volunteers we counted on every day. They became leaders and public servants, helping our communities, states, and nation.

Only a few weeks ago I met a veteran who served with the engineers in Vietnam. Back then, he helped maintain a force of thousands of troops. Today, he runs a quarter of a million-acre cattle property in North Queensland and is one of the many Australian farmers helping feed our country. 

Some stayed in uniform and rose through the ranks in our Defence force. They used the lessons they learned in blood from their experience in Vietnam to help train the next generation. My generation benefitted immensely, and the quality of our preparation was down to the drive and passion for excellence they had.

Vietnam veterans looked after one another. They stood shoulder to shoulder, even when many other Australians turned their back on them. Our Vietnam veterans made it their mission to make sure that the next generation of returned service men and women, and their families, received the respect they deserved. 

Now, nearly 50 years on from when Australia ended its involvement in the Vietnam War, the legacy of their camaraderie, care, and compassion lives on. Australians gather to commemorate veterans, and we warmly welcome home our forces. 

Because of our Vietnam veterans, and all those that came before, after and are yet to serve, we step in to help out our mates. Whether it is finding veterans a place to call home or helping their family members access scholarships so that they can upskill, retrain or find a new passion in life, we are there in times of need. 

This is the story of the life and the legacy of our Vietnam veterans. It is one we must acknowledge as we reflect on our past treatment of these veterans, and move forward in the future.

On Thursday 18 August communities around the country will pause to honour the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans. RSL Sub Branches across our state will, in their honour, host commemorative events to help tell their story. It is their story that needs to be told. They did their job. They served with honour.  They came home and helped build great communities. They deserved to be celebrated by everyone in Australia.

We are encouraging Queenslanders to attend an RSL Sub Branch commemorative service. They can find their nearest service here.

Major General Stephen Day DSC AM

RSL Queensland President.