Vietnam Veterans’ Day
T
HEIR numbers may be thinning a little, but their
enthusiasm and commitment to their mates was
undimmed as veterans of the war in South Vietnam
gathered to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
They were called on parade by WO1 (ret)
Jon Daniels 1RAR and formed up on
the marker, Roy ‘Dutchy’ Heaslip.
This year former RSM WO1 (ret) Lynne “Floss”
Foster was the Master of Ceremonies, standing in
for fellow former RSM (ret) WO1 Mick Johnson.
CO 1RAR LTCOL Ben McLennan gave the
address and he spoke of the hidden cost of going
to war, which was now known to most people.
26 | SEPTEMBER 2017
He said many of those who returned from
the war traumatised had little choice but to go
back to living their lives, and many succeeded
and continued to contribute to the nation.
President of the Townsville sub-branch of the
Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia Peter
Hindle said the success of Vietnam Veterans’ Day
was as much dependant on the support provided
by the 3rd Brigade, Townsville RAAF, police, the
Townsville City Council and the community.
“It is that support as well as the eff orts of
the Vietnam Veterans themselves that makes
this event possible each year,” he said.