On today’s Vietnam Veterans Day the RSL in New South Wales has offered an apology for the treatment of thousands of defence personnel who fought in the bloody conflict.
This year marks 50 years since Australian forces ended their withdrawal from Vietnam, one of the most controversial and divisive military engagements in the nation’s history.
NSW RSL President Ray James apologised for their treatment by the organisation.
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“RSL NSW acknowledges a generation of veterans who are still healing and we publicly recognise our charity’s past mistakes this Vietnam Veterans Day,” he said.
“As a Vietnam veteran myself, it’s extremely important to me that all veterans know that RSL NSW is committed to ensuring that no veteran is ever left feeling unwelcome.”
From 1962 to 1973, more than 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War as part of an allied force led by the United States.
Australian casualties were 523 dead and about 3,000 wounded.
But many who fought found themselves turned away by the RSL when they returned from Vietnam.
Community opposition to Australia’s involvement in the war led to veterans being shunned by the public and even rejected by veterans of other conflicts who did not regard Vietnam as a ‘real war’.
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The RSL said support for Vietnam veterans and the wider veteran community has improved markedly over the past 50 years.
Thousands of Australians are today gathering at the Vietnam Forces Memorial in Canberra, and across the country, to honour the service of veterans who fought there.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to them today.
“Many of our troops returned to face new battles at home and not every one of those battles was won – it is important as Australians we know the stories of service in Vietnam and what our veterans faced when returned home.
“We honour you, we thank you and we are so sorry it took us so long as a nation to do so.”
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