By CINDY LYNCH
HE only spent 187 days in Vietnam in 1967 but that experience has shaped the life of Picnic Point’s John Shields, 78, who ran towards enemy fire to deliver first aid and even raced through minefields to rescue wounded soldiers during his turbulent time as a trained rifleman turned medic.
As a way to pay tribute to fallen veterans, John set up a mini shrine and hosted a remembrance service for Panania Diggers RSL Sub Branch members, local MPS and local preschool and school-aged children outside his Picnic Point home on August 18 – the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan – complete with wreath-laying, singing the New Zealand and Australian national anthems, and observing a minute’s silence after The Last Post, with the Sub Branch Senior Vice President Joe Kaplun AO conducting the service and reciting The Ode.
“It was a way to teach the children about the important people we were honouring,” John said.
Two of his own seven grandchildren, Joshua and Nicholas, were involved in the service, with Joshua reading out a letter from the Australian War Memorial Director who was unable to attend.
John said it was only when John O’Halloran’s book, ‘The Platoon Commander’, was published last year which referenced his involvement, that people learnt about his contribution.
“It was a good feeling to read that because it had been 56 years and people didn’t really understand my involvement,” he said.
“I also appreciated receiving a medal and certificate of recognition from the Federal Government last year,” he said.
“When I spoke with O’Halloran he told me he’d recommended me for the Military Medal as well.”
O’Halloran had guided 6 RAR’s B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart, Operation Portsea, the Battle of Long Tan and Operation Bribie.
John also held services at the graves of Vietnam veterans Peter Hart and Dennis Bracewell at Rookwood and Woronora cemeteries on August 2 and 3.
“They were ambushed and shot and I crawled through the jungle to treat them. Sadly they died six days later,” he said.
“There were sacrifices made that we should never forget and the services were my way of honouring that and paying tribute.”
