Tea Gardens set to commemorate Vietnam Veteran’s Day

VETERANS from the Vietnam War will unite with those from other conflicts at the Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemoration at ANZAC Park, Tea Gardens on Monday 18 August.

The date was originally ‘Long Tan Day’, the anniversary of the infamous Battle of Long Tan, in which just over 100 Australians, and three New Zealanders, faced off against over 2000 Viet Cong in 1966.

“Vietnam Veterans’ Day has become more all-encompassing for all surviving vets and peacekeepers, but it will always be Vietnam Vets Day,” said Terry Munright, Secretary and Treasurer of the Tea Gardens RSL sub-Branch.

Local Vietnam War veteran Merv Mills told NOTA the date is a time to “commemorate all those who served in conflicts to date, to commemorate friendship and mateship”.

Originally called up in late 1966, Merv returned to Vietnam two years later, amidst the series of surprise attacks by the Viet Cong known as the ‘Tet Offensive’ in January 1968.

After leaving Mascot airport at 4am, his flight was diverted across the continent to take on special forces personnel, then hopped north and was diverted from Saigon.

“You didn’t know any of the other guys who were there with you, had nothing in common with the bloke in front of you other than a birthdate, but we still have friendships from those who went, memories that will never leave you,” Merv said.

The realities of Vietnam War conscription are often lost on younger generations, such as the fact that thousands of young Australian men in their early 20s were drafted and sent off to fight in sweltering jungles, let alone the political and physical realities of the war at large.

Upon arrival back in Australia, many veterans were subjected to abuse due to the unpopularity of the war.

Unlike most other overseas conflicts, the veterans of Vietnam did not receive a commemoration day or recognition until the late 1980s.

For local veteran Peter Gurney, a separate date allows veterans to interact more freely.

“Most of the reunions were on ANZAC Day, but many older guys now have roles in their sub-Branches, so we could not reunite in other locations,” Peter explained.

“A lot of guys now use 18 August to have reunions they could not have on ANZAC Day.”

Peter was a truck driver in the 86th Transport Company, the largest Australian unit of its kind in Vietnam.

Upon being drafted, he was ordered to load up the HMAS Jeparit with supplies because wharf workers were striking.

“As soon as I arrived in Vietnam, the first thing they told me to do was to unload the HMAS Jeparit,” he said.

“The 18th August is definitely a day for remembrance, isolated from ANZAC Day, concentrating on the Vietnam campaign. “Vietnam vets are very tight, we have reunions and contact with most of the guys we served with; friendship is still there.”

This year also marks the 85th anniversary of the end of WWII.

The Vietnam Veterans Day service will begin at 11am on Monday 18 August at ANZAC Park, Marine Drive, Tea Gardens.

By Thomas O’KEEFE