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Vietnam veterans will lead Bendigo’s Anzac Day march for the first time this year, in commemoration of a historic battle.
About 150 veterans of the war are expected to march at the head of the parade this year, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
Bendigo District RSL sub-branch president Cliff Richards said as a Vietnam veteran himself, he was sure the men marching would be feeling “extremely proud”.
It will be a significant moment for Vietnam veterans, many of whom experienced a less than warm reception upon returning home from service in the controversial war.
Mr Richards said he returned to Sydney at 1am and was told to “find [his] own way home”.
He said he knew of other veterans who’d had rotten tomatoes thrown at them and even RSL sub-branches spurned them.
Vietnam veterans did not receive a traditional welcome home parade until 1987, 15 years after the last combat troops were withdrawn from the war.
Tony Cornelius went to Vietnam in November 1968 at the age of 21 and served with the Royal Australian Army Service Corps.
He said his experience upon returning to Sydney after his time in Vietnam was not a pleasant one.
“A lot of people didn’t want to know you, they couldn’t really care who you were, and I found that quite widespread, for quite a few years after the army,” Mr Cornelius said.
Mr Cornelius said the attitude towards Vietnam veterans had improved slightly, but some still felt animosity towards them.
Former infantryman Peter Ball served in the war for 10 months in Nui Dat, volunteering after being conscripted into National Service.
Mr Ball said he did not experience anything negative upon his return to Australia, but acknowledged there was a lot of anger at the war in Australia.
Even given his own positive experience returning home, he said there had been a shift in perception regarding the Vietnam War and its veterans.
“Totally, completely seen in a different light, because they’ve been ... so active in better service, better treatment, better pensions for returned servicemen,” Mr Ball said.
Bill Clark volunteered for overseas service during his national service, arriving in Vietnam in 1969.
He too had a positive experience when he returned, saying the Dandenong RSL was very supportive of veterans.
But he said the perception of Vietnam veterans among the general population had improved and support had grown since the 1970s.
“It’s good that we’re getting recognition for the Vietnam veterans and the service that the fellows did, because there are a lot of fellows that are torn about it all, hurt, still hurting,” Mr Clark.
Despite their different experiences, the men were unanimous in their pride that Vietnam veterans would lead this year’s march.
“I’m quite proud of it,” Mr Cornelius said.
“I think it’s a great privilege actually, to lead the march,” Mr Ball said.
The Battle of Long Tan was fought in August 1966, the first year of Australia’s involvement in the war.
The battle was one of the largest fought by Australian soldiers in Vietnam and claimed the lives of 18 Australians and 245 Vietnamese.
