NSW: Vietnam veterans deserve highest respect: Nelson

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2006
NSW: Vietnam veterans deserve highest respect: Nelson

By Nick Ralston

SYDNEY, Aug 18 AAP - Australians who served in the Vietnam war should be shown the
highest respect regardless of what view an individual may have about the conflict itself,
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson says.

Dr Nelson has delivered the Vietnam Veterans Day address to about 200 ex-servicemen
at a ceremony at the Cenotaph in Sydney's Martin Place.

It marked the 40th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan, where 108 Australian soldiers
from Delta Company 6RAR fought an estimated 2,500 enemy troops in a rubber plantation.

It was the bloodiest battle of Australia's controversial involvement in Vietnam and
resulted in the deaths of 18 Australians.

Dr Nelson apologised at the ceremony for the inadequate recognition given to those
who served in a war that "divided and polarised" the nation.

"It's easy for us ... from the comfortable distance of 40 years to settle for the broad
brush strokes of history, to skate over the individual acts of heroism, or bravery," he
told the ceremony.

"To do so demeans the values for what they fought and for which 18 on this day gave their lives.

"... whatever our view of the conflict to which our government committed our Australian
defence force, let's not ever treat those who served and wear our uniform with anything
other than the highest respect and regard - irrespective of the individual feelings we
have towards the conflicts in which they are involved."

The service began with the Sydney Royal Australian Navy Band marching down adjacent
Pitt Street and into Martin Place where they were met by the veterans, displaying medals
and standing tall alongside the main cenotaph.

Dr Nelson, NSW Governor Marie Bashir, and Opposition defence spokesman Robert McClelland
were among a number of representatives to lay wreaths.

The names of the 18 killed in the battle were also read while Lament to the Fallen
was played by on the bagpipes.

Veteran Geoff Green, who served in the war in 1968, said today went some of the way
to make up for the hostile environment many faced when returning from Vietnam.

"This particular event is all part of the healing process ... time heals everything," he said.

"A lot of water has gone under the bridge since the 1960s and 70s. I think its time
to put all of that behind us and just to acknowledge the fellows for what they did for
Australia while they are still with us."

Anthony Bonvino, a conscript who served as a reinforcement to the 6RAR after the battle
of Long Tan, said the recognition has been a long time coming.

"There was a lot of resentment and the government at the time didn't particularly help
us," Mr Bonvino said.

"I think we're now going in the right direction. I was a conscript, I didn't want to
go, but I went and did my duty."

AAP nr/klw/cjh/nf

KEYWORD: LONGTAN NSW (PIX AVAILABLE)

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