Here in Oz we didn't welcome our veterans well in the early 1970's when they returned home. Such was the times of friction between many that didn't want Australian soldiers fighting in that war.
I joined the RAAF in 1973 at 17yo but never saw overseas war zones. I did however work later alongside Vietnam Veterans in workplaces like prisons (warder) and the investigation industry.
I just want to say a big thankyou to all Veterans that read this. And if you are a triker/biker and you use the road as your ticket to freedom, may you mind relax and you wings take you to where ever you dream.
LET IT BE OUR LAST
They came home to jeers
Along a Townsville street
Egg, insults and abuse
Is all they got to greet
They’d endured the Asian jungles
Where every step you take
Be wary of your step
Or your chest will wear a stake
With shrapnel in their backs
And poison from orange air
Their fight would go on for years
But no one showed they cared
As the Townsville streets cursed
When our heroes paced the town
Soldiers honour put on hold
Their dignity a frown
And wait they would have to do
Like waiting for a falling shell
For they fought for this land Australia
In the battlefield of hell
Do you know Vietnam Vets?
Then show them of your jest
Shake their hand to understand
Lest we forget
But we should always remember
That we should never relive the past
The day the Aussie soldier was jeered
Let it be our last
When we see our wartime heroes
And remember those that fell
Let us not forget the brave
From the battle field of hell….
Tony Russell Dawson
Strathbogie Victoria
Australia