Today is the aniversary of the battle on Long Tan during the vietnam war, and the Long Tan cross , erected by 6 RAR, is on display at the War memourial in Canberra. I had a couple of mate who wer involved in this battle, and sad to say, they are both dead, one Frank Goedhart, drank himself to an early grave.God rest them all. RIP. Lest we forget. Bill
My dad went to Vietnam 3 times. . .first time as a Gunnery Sgt, second time he was attached to MP's and the third time he was attached to Intelligence as an interpreter. As a consequence of all three tours this is one subject that is totally taboo in our family. Dad refuses to talk about Vietnam to any of us at all . . . ever!!! Also as a consequence dad became a total recluse, an alcoholic, and an insomniac.
He was super proud of me when I joined the Army and got into Signals but he still refused to discuss Vietnam with me, he just shuts down. He did say once to us that he did not ever want to re-live the horrors of what he saw in Vietnam not for a million dollars or whatever.
So Daryl I believe as you said that a lot of men and women came back from that blood* conflict completely damaged and broken. And then when they arrived back on our shores what do they get?. . . .they got rotten tomatoes and eggs thrown at them and they were abused by the public. My father will not even march on Anzac Day after what happened when he returned even though 20 odd years down the track the government of the time apologised, it made no difference to my dad.
War sucks so do conflicts!!!
Michelle
-- Edited by BohemianGypsy on Saturday 18th of August 2012 12:13:03 AM
I was not involved,and my number did not come up in the ballot, In some ways I missed out, But in many ways I was so lucky. I have a cousin who was heavily involved in Vietnam, But not Long Tan, And my best mate at the time of the call-up was also involved, we were both waiting and hoping for our numbers to come up , but it was not to be, However he joined up anyway and done 2 tours, He is still a very good mate to this very day, But my cousin who was a very popular and happy go lucky bloke before his service [ he was regular army ] he came back still proud but very broken and confused, became a recluse, from civilian life lived on a small farm, and the only people he would let get close to him, was his mates from his old unit. Because of these contacts from my past, i have had a real interest in the aussie history of our servicemen in Vietnam, there is some very good reading out there and on the internet, some of it is a chilling and scary read, I will Always have a deep respect and pride in all our servicemen and women, They are a breed of thier own, Last year i read a book titled The Battle of Long Tan. It was a very interesting and informative discription of the whole situation, And to think they are just normal Aussie blokes, but an example of Pride, Bravery, and Mateship, that seems to be an on-going trait amongst all our armed forces,
I was not involved,and my number did not come up in the ballot, In some ways I missed out, But in many ways I was so lucky. I have a cousin who was heavily involved in Vietnam, But not Long Tan, And my best mate at the time of the call-up was also involved, we were both waiting and hoping for our numbers to come up , but it was not to be, However he joined up anyway and done 2 tours, He is still a very good mate to this very day, But my cousin who was a very popular and happy go lucky bloke before his service [ he was regular army ] he came back still proud but very broken and confused, became a recluse, from civilian life lived on a small farm, and the only people he would let get close to him, was his mates from his old unit. Because of these contacts from my past, i have had a real interest in the aussie history of our servicemen in Vietnam, there is some very good reading out there and on the internet, some of it is a chilling and scary read, I will Always have a deep respect and pride in all our servicemen and women, They are a breed of thier own, Last year i read a book titled The Battle of Long Tan. It was a very interesting and informative discription of the whole situation, And to think they are just normal Aussie blokes, but an example of Pride, Bravery, and Mateship, that seems to be an on-going trait amongst all our armed forces,
So yes ! LEST WE FORGET
Thank you Dazren very well put and oh so true............Lest We Forget.
There is really good online video, if you have the megs, called "the truth about Long Tan" , online . I would put the webaddress up, but don,t have it. Recomended!Bill
It is an era long gone but not forgotten. I did my service, 20 years in the Navy and I have been out 24 years and have never settled into civilian life, even though I have now retired with the GLW and started travelling, I can remember in Sydney the abuse we use to receive if they saw servicemen in uniform, they use to wait for us at the dock gates when we use to leave the ship, and in those days we were required to wear uniform ashore at all times. I have had responsible jobs since my discharge but I suppose I have always had a drinking problem and I take sleeping aids, just a way of life that you adjust to.
Lest We Forget The affects that place caused to peoples minds and health is still not fully known Lost a mate over there and served there as well 1969--1970 1ST (Amrd Regt) Terry
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