The service held outside Bert Crook Memorial on Sunday, August 13, was followed by lunch at the club and an afternoon of story-telling and Vietnam-era songs.
Commemorations began with Uncle Brendan’s ‘Welcome to Country’ and a catafalque (armed guards) party mounting the memorial – a symbolic act whereby members march in unison to take their places, heads bowed, weapons facing outward from the memorial – to pay respect to the fallen. Vietnam Veteran and Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club Sub Branch trustee Ernest Newbold said the two wars were 30 years apart and very different.
During the Second World War, defence forces did not come home until the war was over. In the Vietnam War, defence units were enlisted into tours of duty, usually around 12 months’ long.
He said those veterans came home with a heavy heart about being back when the job was not finished.
“Fortunately, the RSL and ex-Servicemen Clubs provided a place to gather … thank you to the RSL and other organisations for being there to support us,” he said.
Sub Branch President McIntyre said the service was well attended and “allowed us to get to know our local Vietnam veterans so we can ensure they are looked after”.
He also presented the Vietnam veterans with a special commemorative 50th Anniversary pin.
