IN the 50 years that have passed since the end of hostilities in the Vietnam War the 60,000 Australia servicemen and women who took part have rarely raised their hands to say, “I was there”.
They preferred to stay in the shadows.
There have been just a few memorial services held to recognise them and for the most part, just like when they returned, they have been forgotten.
On Friday in the gardens next to Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall a group of less than 50 gathered to hear words of gratitude rarely spoken.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, made a speech of less than four minutes and while it was short in time it was powerful in substance.
On an overcast drizzly morning in Ipswich the PM looked the Vietnam veterans in the eye and told them that Australians respected them for their valour, integrity, and character.
“Let us say to every one of our Vietnam veterans, today and every day, we honour you, we thank you and we are sorry that as a nation it took us so long for us as a nation to do so,” he said.
He said the nation had matured enough to embrace the truth that “we can disagree with a war without that diminishing the respect we feel for every man and woman who puts on our uniform and serves in our name”.
“We pay our respect for the truth that you have all paid a price – a price that some are still paying.
“Respect for the fact that you live with the memory of mates who never came back, and memories of all that you lived through.”
Ipswich pharmacist, Phuong Nguyen, who fled Vietnam with her family as a small child spoke of the enduring love her country had for the Australians who served in Vietnam.
“I have been asked by some veterans over the years as to why they were there and some have said they shouldn’t have been, so may answer to them is you were fighting for me,” she said.
“You were fighting for my family and people like me. The world has forgotten what it was about, it was never a black and white war with good guys on one side and bad guys on the other.
“The Vietnamese in Australia remember what you did, you were fighting for our freedom, you were fighting to give us a better life.
“I am so glad I ended up in a country that fought for my family, I will never forget your sacrifices,” she said.
After the memorial service the Vietnam Veterans marched solemnly down Nicholas Street accompanied by drummers, fellow war veterans and school students. Those lining the street applauded them, many took the opportunity to shake the hand of a veteran and to say, “thanks for your service”.
