Vietnam vets pause for remembrance

For local Vietnam veteran Geoff McNeill, Vietnam Veterans' Day is an occasion for him to reflect and remember his service and that of his mates - but it has not always been that way.

Mr McNeill was a "Nasho", conscripted for national service in January 1969 when he was 21 and based in the 106th 4th Field Regiment as a driver until December 1970.

He said Vietnam veterans were shunned and vilified on their return to home soil and were left unsupported, especially by the Returned and Services League.

"Veterans of the Vietnam War were shunned for years after their return, with those who had fought in the first and second world wars saying that it wasn't a 'real war'," he said.

"This meant some had little to no support, and associations such as the Returned and Services League were seen as inappropriate to join."

Mr McNeill, who is now the Albany RSL sub-branch treasurer, said he did not start attending Anzac Day services until the 1980s and did not become a member of the RSL until years later.

Today, Mr McNeill said the RSL had changed significantly and welcomed Vietnam veterans into its ranks.

"There are still a lot of vets who are not members, and we would like to get them here because there is a lot we could offer them," he said.

Mr McNeill said the thoughts that filled his mind on Vietnam Veterans' Day changed from year to year.

"The keynote address tends to line up your thoughts to something that you associate with," he said.

"When we had one of the Long Tan boys, everyone went into battle thoughts.

"When others talk about their mates being killed, you think about the ones that were killed that you know.

"It's not a static thing, it's a variable thing.

"We tend to talk out loud about happy thoughts or experiences but the inner thoughts are completely different."

A service will be held at the Mt Barker War Memorial from 11am on Sunday

Buses will leave from the Albany RSL sub-branch from 10am.

We tend to talk out loud about happy thoughts or experiences but the inner thoughts are completely different. Geoff McNeill