By Shelby Brooks
The 50-year anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War was held 10 years ago and with it the first of many ceremonies to commemorate milestone events of Australia’s involvement.
This year, veterans recognised the 50th anniversary of Australian troops withdrawing from Vietnam, signalling the last major ceremony event held by the Victorian Vietnam Veterans Association.
Pakenham veterans Gary Elliot and Henry van Diemen have been at most services in the last 10 years but say they are ready to scale back the ceremonies moving forward, without forgetting their mates who didn’t make it home.
“The first anniversary was 10 years ago of the deployment, this year it’s the 50th anniversary of our withdrawal,” Pakenham RSL president Gary Elliott said.
“The last 18 years, the Vietnam Veterans Association has been running a big day on the 18 August on the Shrine of Remembrance.
“Next year there will be something on at the Shrine but it won’t be at the calibre of the last 15 years. We’re old enough that it’s time to stop that kind of organisation.
“It won’t be forgetting, it’s just reducing the incidence of the major events.”
Mr Elliott said as the Vietnam veterans get older, big commemoration events needed to slow down.
“Our generation is coming to the end of its turn, just like those in the Second World War is, it’s no different,” he said.
“It’s been a busy time, it is time for a break.
“But we’re appreciative of being acknowledged.”
There will be plenty to keep Vietnam veterans busy, with $10 million announced earlier this month from the State Government to go into a new purpose-built site to house the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island.
The investment will support the museum to modernise its exhibitions, increase visitor capacity and improve visitors’ understanding of the Vietnam War and its impacts. It will also enable the museum to better engage with the veterans’ community and its volunteers.
Mr Elliott, who is a founding board member of the museum said the recent announcement was just the first step.
“It’s just a fifth of what we need,” he said.
