Camperdown’s Alan Fleming vividly recalls the icy welcome many Vietnam War veterans received on their arrival home.
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“When the first battalions returned home they were welcomed by massive crowds. As the nation became agitated against the involvement, that anger was directed at the soldiers, not the government, and soldiers arriving home were met with protests,” he said.
“Those returning by air would land in Sydney around midnight in civilian clothes. I remember finding my way from the Sydney international terminal to the domestic lounge and sleeping on the benches waiting for a connecting flight to Melbourne in the morning.
“Breakfast in Nui Dat, and then expected to blend into society by the end of the day.”
Since then, the Geelong and District Vietnam Veterans’ Association member said veterans had worked hard to improve their lot.
“The Vietnam veterans have a motto – honour the dead, fight like hell for the living. They formed active groups to gain better conditions for all veterans, recognition of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and other conditions and generally looking after those who needed a hand,” Mr Fleming said.
Mr Fleming is one of the organisers behind a ceremony in Terang on Saturday that will pay tribute to Terang-born Private Paul Navarre (formerly Crawley) of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, who was killed in action on June 6, 1970 at the age of 21.
“Paul’s sister Julie Jacob and her sons Albert Jacob and Michael Jacob will travel from Perth to attend the ceremony,” Mr Fleming said.
“This will be a community event, open to all, and fully catered for.”
Mr Fleming described Vietnam as the first war that “that could be watched from your lounge room”.
Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, the most costly battle for Australian forces. It is now known as Vietnam Veterans’ Day and recognises all those who served.
“From the time of the arrival of the first members of the team in 1962, almost 60,000 Australians, including ground troops and air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam,” Mr Fleming said.
“Five hundred and twenty-one died as a result of the war and over 3000 were wounded.”
