Treasurer Chairman
Ray Curtis Garry (Pepe) Prendergast
No7 of 9 Coral Drive Unit 4 47 Karbunya St
Jerrabomberra NSW 2619 Mermaid Waters, QLD 4218
H: 02 62559426 H: 0429 42 58 63
Em: rosnray4@bigpond.com Email: pepecoral68@gmail.com
1st Battalion Battle Group Reunion After Action Report 2015
Reunion in Newcastle 15-17 May 2015
It never ceases to amaze me when someone ‘voluntary’ puts up their hand to run one of these Reunions,
how they bring a new sense of enthusiasm along with an interestingly different perspective.
This year was no exception when Harry Day produced a very good Reunion. Thank you Harry &
the local boys who helped him prepare & run this one. A job very well done. THANK YOU fellas.!
On the Friday night M & G we had to wait a little for the Mayor to come along for her Welcome
speech and we didn’t have the usual canapés so many people didn’t stay but went down stairs to
the dining. Lesson learned. !
For the Saturday Service, the War Memorial in the City Park nearby was a nice setting for our
Memorial Service but unfortunately it rained on our parade so we moved it all indoors to the Panthers
Club.
We did the Service indoors but good old Pepe had left the last page of our KIA Honour Roll list at
home so the last 4 names were given to me from the floor. Bugger !. So embarrassing. (Found the
last page jammed in the computer when I got home !! ).
The idea of allocating one KIA Candle from the concept of “light a Candle in the window” to Commemorate
the their Service to one of the mates of the KIAs was not as smooth as the first time in
Adelaide since twice a candle was taken by two people who both wanted to place a candle for the
same KIA. (Only had enough candles for the 35 KIAs on our list). But it worked….sort of. I’ll bring
along more candles !!
The local ARES Band did a really great job given they were almost left waiting in the rain in the
Park. They were very good & much appreciated. Always nice to have a band involved. So good &
great to see the lads. Makes you proud of the way they carry themselves and show respect to us old
diggers.
I had two comments that the Service is now too long and I countered that it is really is 50 % of why
we gather each year in the first place but I’m still very conscious that some Vets have a limit on
how long they can stand these days so some seating will be available in future & I’ve decided we’ll
do a brief version of the Honour Roll briefly at the Memorial but do it in full using the Video in the
Auditorium instead.
After the indoor Service and immediately after the the drinks flowed on the dinning tables, Harry-
Day had prepared a special Video presentation about our KIA in the form of an Honour Roll.
As you know, we have not allowed speeches by others at the memorial but on this occasion I allowed
a speech. It was the Speech by a previous boat person who was a Vietnamese Army Dr, Mr
Tien. His Speech was spell binding & impressive. There is so much we don’t know about our Vietnamese
comrades & what they had to put up with & take on board all those years of the war & especially
afterwards. I was personally very grateful that Tien & his old Army mate made a special
trip up from Sydney especially for this function. He is such a lovely bloke who is so proud of his military
past & now his new Country Australia.
It was interesting to watch the eyes of some of you as I introduced Tien when there was an “uncomfortable
shuffle” of the feet & a “roll of the eyes” but soon after he started, I noticed quite a
difference since the eyes were alert & interested in what he had to say.
His speech is enclosed….enjoy !
We had 324 attendees this year which was very good and this year I had so many apologies from
people who were in poor health (10) or who were travelling either O’seas or around Oz, probably as
many as 15 couples which shows that “we” are on the move and that sometimes causes a clash of
personal priorities for their annual expenditures. I get that. But that is why we ask you to confirm
your attendance ASAP after Registration forms are sent out to give us time to adjust our preparations.
The Panthers Club venue for the Dinner was just right for the numbers we eventually got. I’m not
aware of any serious complaints about the food and I think the menu and food quality was very
good but I know getting central venues can be a cost problem in some cities.
Seating for the Dinner seemed to go pretty smoothly & was no small problem this time which was
great.The Reunion Committee went to a lot of trouble putting out pre entry signs & Coy/Pl signs
and table indicators to match up the numbers attending from the Registrations and to ensure
everyone had a seat. We try to allow a few extra seats in each Pl/Coy group to allow some flexible
sitting arrangements within the group. After the meal you can move around as you like.
It’s a problem that I wish some would take heed of to make sure they actually end up in their Coy/
Pl tables as allocated by the committee.. Would be nice !!!
The AGM allowed me to THANK Harry Day & his Reunion helpers for the magnificent
effort they put into this Reunion. It really was well run and I received many positive
comments aimed at letting them know they did a really good job. See below.
Thanks Harry.
One aspect that was raised to me is that, as we age, some may no longer wish to ‘stay up until 10
or 11pm’ and that maybe an alternative was to hold our reunions during the day only. I know of
some other Reunions that do this. However, following some discussion from the floor there was an
almost unamimous show of hands voting to leave things as they are, at least until after 2018, our
50th Anniversary and then review it. We currently do plan to start the dinner at 6 pm with the meal
coming out at 6.30 latest and have the Dinner, Raffle and AGM finished by 9.30 pm at the latest.
The AGM also allowed me to get an agreed Program for future Reunions through until 2018. More on
the program below.
This year the Raffle was well run and conducted with due dispatch this time. This year we just
added $5 p/h to the Registration ticket price with options for further purchases which would go to
the ongoing admin and we simply sold a few more tickets at the door. So much less for the Committee
to worry about.
At the AGM, the group agreed this idea has much merit as we do need to raise some money to defray
the rising roughly $2200 admin costs associated with the twice annual mail outs (printing,
stamps and some small misc expenditures etc;).
This approach had the desired affect as financially, on this occasion, we stayed well into the black
without the DVA funding we used to get. So our Reunion contingency fund is now looking quite good
with some special donations added. Thanks, you know who you are! We will hold some of that fund
money for our 50th Anniversary expenses.
We had quite a number of Veteran’s Relatives attend this year. I for one had my 3 brothers, my sister
& my long lanky Son Beau attend. It was interesting to get their very positive feedback. “so
thats what you do every year??” but it was warm feeling having them with me & felt good that they
were so impressed with all of you that attend these Reunions.
I was very impressed with the attendance of the several relatives of Phil Thomson. I knew that
there were some members who would not have know Phil so I gave a short account of the good
work Phil had done so long ago but I made a silly mistake when I described Phil’s death. I had a
brain snap & said something not only not correct but not necessary for the story. I therefore unreservedly
apologise for that sad recollection using an old befuddled memory.
After my speech I went over to Phil’s family & apologised profusely to them & they accepted my
silly error. I felt really bad & upset. But they said they had such a great time meeting up with Phil’s
old mates after all this time & it was a family Reunion of sorts for them too. They said they would
like to attend another sometime. It was good to see them.
The 48th Anniversary Reunion 2016 in Twin Towns QLD.
The principal organiser is Me (Pepe) but I’ll have a very good organising committee helping take the
work load. Thanks fellas.
Please note ! dates:
The dates are Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th May 2016
Meet & Greet Wednesday 11th May
Twin Towns Club
Cnr Griffith Street and Wharf Street, Coolangatta, QLD 4225
5pm - 7pm. Look for the signs in the entrances.
The venue for the M & G and the Dinner is in the Twin Towns Club.
Twin Towns is a very big Club with several dining options & bars. They have dancing
opportunities & live shows which are usually very good.
The reason we can’t have Fri or Sat night is because of the Live shows they have
there in the larger auditoriums, so look ahead very early next year when I put out
the next Newsletter & I'll put out the Show menu so you can book ahead & make
a really good time of it !
Service & Dinner Thursday 12th May 2015.
The service will be is just 100 metres West of the Club near the foreshore broad
walk
4.30pm Form up 100m East of the Club on the foreshore.
4.45pm March Off to Vietnam Veterans Memorial for service.
Service to commence at 5pm.
Dinner is at 6pm also in the Twin Towns top floor auditorium. Drinks prior to the
dinner which should commence around 6.30pm. Costs should be similar to last.
Please note all the accommodation is all very central to the Club and some
are easy walking to get to. You can get other accommodation details from the
NSW Tweed Heads Tourism and more on the Net through Trip Advisor, Booking.-
com, Hotels Combined & Expedia etc;. The reccomended Accom info is below but
many of you will make your own enquiries now so you can book early.
Those travelling by plane should look out for cheap flights into Coolangatta Airport
from now on and note that trains from Brisbane run right into the Gold Coast with
the line ending at Varsity and buses run along the Gold Coast Highway from top
to bottom & from the Airport & Railway stations. The Cooly airport is only 10 mins
drive to Twin Towns Club.
Future Reunion Matters
Following my request for help to plan the Program through until 2018, at the Reunion just gone I’m
pleased to say that Tony Scott has put his hand up for 2017 Reunion in Tassie but he said it could
be more expensive than the last couple of years due to the suitable venue being more expensive.
I am putting in a submission for some of the Anzac Commemorations funding for the coming Reunions
over 2016 & 2017. But knowing what we got in the past..I won't hold my breath.
The 2018 Reunion in Townsville will be a really big show with 3 Bn sharing the Lavarack lines
with 1 Bn, the Arty, Truckers etc; & Engineers and Airforce all having a presence up there.
A couple of years ago, I had asked the 1st Bn to host our 50th Reunion in Townsville in 2018.
While they have said YES, it is subject to any deployment constraints. I have someone helping me
with this project so more on this later on. Note that at the moment, we have all three Bn's (1,2,3)
that were in Vietnam in '68 are located in Townsville along with engineers & arty, so that lends itself
to May 2018 being bigger than Ben Hur ...I hope so anyway. We will seek & expect some special
funds from DVA & maybe a transport aircraft from Defence to assist with this one being the 50th &
the biggest battle of the Vietnam War.! Start saving for this one.
The Trip to Vietnam.
In addition, following a few requests from some in our group I have a plan for another trip for us
back to Vietnam in late Sep 2018 & it will clash monetarily and personal time wise with the
Townsville Reunion. However, despite that monetary conflict, the show of over 40 hands in support
of such a trip in 2018 has meant that the Vietnam Tour is now firmly on the agenda for 2018. So…I
have commenced preparations and will have a draft tour itinerary and approximate dates ready for
confirmation at the 2016 Reunion.
I was trying to set it up so that there were a couple of options to choose from according to both the
time you have and the budget but after a bit of a discussion with a few very keen to go, “we” have
decided to settle on just one option. Option 1: 19-20 days including Saigon, Nui Dat, Vung Tau &
Coral & the areas Nth travelling up to Hanoi including Dien Bien Phu for around $3500-$4000pp. Individuals
could make their own arrangements to add an extension into either Cambodia and/or
Thailand or into China under their own arrangements. Air fares will be best done under your own
arrangements. Prices are simply an indicative guess at this stage as things will change both in the A
$ value, air fares and general cost rises in Vietnam. But rest assured I’ll be looking to reduce these
prices to ensure max attendee numbers being around 40-46 so it’ll be first in best dressed. I have
set up a Vietnam Tour interest Registration for those that want to book a seat now. Just send me an
email or letter. Don't phone me as I need something in writing to call back on.
Airing of the Coral Documentary
This was expected for the 18th Aug this year but due to some admin hassles within Fox History with
one hand not keeping the other informed it could not be this year. But they have confirmed that it
will now be shown on April 24th or within a day of that. It will only be on the History Channel. Sorry
but that is the commercial facts. I’ll advise in the next Newsletter which day it will be shown. This
has given Leonie (the producer) the opportunity to arrange a different voice over arrangement and
add a bit of new info.
Future Reunions.
We NEED to discuss what we will do after 2018?
Where & if Whether we keep the annual Reunion convention.
I’ll raise this at the next AGM in 2016 Nay thoughts could be sent to me.
Any offers to arrange future Reunions are very welcome.
Passing Parade
It’s an obvious fact that we will all eventually fall off the twig at some time and we have lost a few
more this year. I do this simply so you know who has passed on.
Most recently we lost one of most colourful characters in the 1st Bn in the name of Les Tranter (OC
the Dog Pl) from Cancer. He was a singularly respected officer & person and a real soldier with a
lovely personality, always ready to crack a joke (even if you had heard it before !!) He made it to
the 2014 Reunion but looked weak and was hoping to make it to Newcastle but could not & he died
mid June. He had a big turn out at his funeral…he’d have been proud of that.
Let’s not forget our lovely old black mate 16497 Cpl Graham Grazza Hill aged 70 who died on 6 Jan
with a large turn out. We also lost Snowy Gibson also a Dog Pl man, the likeable loveable Scotty Alcorn,
who on 7 July passed away. During the amazing Dungog floods back in early April, Brian Wilson
was unfortunately caught out & drowned. On 15 April we lost 3790176 Jerry Sanders A Coy HQ 1RAR
’68. Lesley Fielder (wally’s wife) died on 15 Feb & was a sad loss especially in regard to the Coral
Blogspot site which Wally now tries hard to maintain. Just very recently we lost Ivan Herb Everett 8
Pl. He died from the throat cancer he has been fighting for a few years now.
THAN YOU RAY.
Again my thanks to Ray Curtis who helps me with the Registrations and minds the Reunion funds…
he really does very good work and willingly which I really DO appreciate. Thanks Ray!!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
If you realise each day is a gift, you may be near my age.
As I enjoy my twilight years, I am often struck by the inevitability that the party must end.
There will be a clear, cold morning when there isn't any "more."
No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat.
It seems to me that one of the important things to do before that morning comes,
is to let every one of your family and friends know that you care for them.
by Clint Eastwood & Me. !!
But, life is for living while we can, so…
Keep Smiling…have FUN… Good health… and …see you next year in Twin Towns in Sunny Qld.
Cheers ……….Garry (Pepe) Prendergast Together then …together again
Accommodation
....--..--
.-..-
Mantra Hotel & Accommodation. This is the main offer from the Twin Towns Club
!
Mantra Twin Towns (Previously known as Outrigger TwinTowns Resort )
Cnr Griffith Street and Wharf Street, Coolangatta, QLD 4225
Phone: 07 5506 6473
Free Call: 1800 19 20 20
Email: twintowns.resmgr@mantra.com.au
Web: www.mantra.com.au
Please use the form below when booking into the Mantra
The Hotel & Apartments are linked by walkway over the road to Twin Towns Club
Mantra Resort Rooms
Hotel 3 night Accommodation booking Q or K $159/n, 2 x Q $179/n incl $20 Breaky
FSC Apartments (no Breaky incl). For 3 nights 1 Br for 2 $159/n, 2 Br for 4 $239/n
Breaky is avail in Signatures Restaurant for $20/hd in Twin Towns Club
There is a tennis court with 2 pools
Page 1 of 2
Mantra Twin Towns
Coral Reunion Accommodation
May 2016
Guest name(s):
Adults / Children 14+ years: Children (3 to 13 yrs): Infants (0 – 2 yrs):
Postal Address:
Email:
Phone: Mobile:
Arrival date: Departure date:
Preferred Room type:
Credit Card Number: Expiry date:
Credit card holder’s name:
Credit card holder’s signature: CCV: _________
A one night accommodation deposit will be taken from the above card upon reservation. If the card holder is not the guest
being accommodated, a credit card authority form will need to be completed and received prior to arrival. Please contact
Reservations for a Credit Card Authority Form to be issued.
The below rates are valid for up to 7 days, pre and post the main conference dates.
Clarification on Relationship:
Mantra Twin Towns Resort and Twin Town Services Club are two completely separate businesses who have built a strong working
relationship and continue to work together to identify opportunities to present a seamless resort experience to our respective and
mutual guests. All payments made under the authorities of this document will be processed by Mantra Twin Towns Hotel & Apartments
via a trust account.
Rates are made available for the above mentioned function and any associated pre / post accommodation. This is a Booking Request Form.
Bookings are subject to room and room type availability.
THIS BOOKING REQUEST FORM IS NOT A CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING.
A separate confirmation letter will be issued once accommodation has been secured. Deposit, payment, cancellation and refund policy for
Mantra Twin Towns Hotel & Apartments is identified below, please be aware there may be variance to terms on function bookings with
Twin Towns Service Club.
Accommodation for Twin Towns area in Tweed Heads
Note these are all serviced by the Twin Towns Courtesy & local bus service & use your Pension or Senior card
discount.
Ask for Coral Reunion Discount (some won't) but ASK...some below are already discounted
Wharf St is the main road in from the Sth.
If you want Apartments or other then use the Net to find them.
Close to Twin Towns Club
Coolangatta Sands Hostel (Across the road from T T Club) 2.0-3.0* 07 5536 7472
www.coolangattasandshostel.com.au Private rooms Q or Twin $60 Q + 1 $80 (Incl Cont Breaky)
Ocean Plaza Resort Apartments w Kitchen (5 min walk & on Cooly beach) 4*+ 07 5536 999
2 Br 2 bath 2 nights $189 Q + 2, 3 Br 3 Bath $295 2 nights Q + 4 Each reducing $10/ni for longer stay
oceanbeachplazerresort.com.au
Tweed Ultima Holiday Apartments w kitchen (across the road from TT Club) 4* 07 5599 3500
www.tweedultima.com.au 1 Br $$165/n 2 Br 2 Bath Q + 2 $175/n
Nirvana Holiday Apartments w kitchen on Cooly beach (5 min walk) 4* 07 5506 5555
www.nirvanabythesea.com.au 2 Br2Bath Q +2 $235/n to $199 for 3 nights 3 Br 3bath Q+K+2 $425/n
There are many other places near T T Club so look on the net if those above don't suit or your want something
else.
Less than 1 Km (10mins) to Club (& very near the Tweed Heads Bowls Club & shopping centre)
Tweed Central Motel 91 Wharf St 3.5* 07 5536 6620 6 min walk
www.tweedcentralmotel.com.au Q $99 to Q + 3 $135 plus Breaky extra
Cooks Endeavour Motor In 26 Francis St 3.5 07 5536 5399 6 min walk
www.cooksendeavourmotorinn.com Q $105 - Q +3 $145 Q + 4 $160 Full Breaky $13
Blue Pelican Motel 115 Wharf St 3.5* 07 5536 1777 10 min walk
www.bluepelicanmotel.com.au $119 Q to family twin at $170 + Breaky $13-15
Tweed Heads Vegas Motel 123 Wharf St 4*+ 07 5599 0399
www.tweedheadsvegasmotel.com.au Q $130 up to $145 delux with spa + breaky extra $13
Comfort Inn Tweed Heads 129 Wharf St 3-4* 07 5599 4111
comfortinnth.com.au Q $125 -$145 Breakfast $12
Tweed Harbour Motor Inn 135 Wharf St 3.5-4* 07 55366066
www.tweedharbourmotel.com.au Q $120 - $145 + Breaky
About 2 Km away from Twin Towns (15 min in car)
Also on the way into Tweed from the Sth. (old Pacific Hwy)
Arabella Motor Inn 9 Minjungbal Dr 3.5-4* 07 555524 3111
www.arabellamotorinn.com.au Q $85 Q + 2 $110 definite Discounts for extra length of stay
Tweed Waters Motel 13 Minjungbal Dr 3.5-4* 07 5524 7367
tweedwatersmotel.com.au Q $95 Family Q + 2 $150
The River Road Motel 15 Minjungbal Dr 3* only 07 5524 3403
Q $75 - $80
Sundowner Twin Towns Motel 21 Minjungbal Dr 3.5* 07 55243108
www.twintownsmotel.com.au Q $110-$135
Calico Court Motel 29 Minjungbal Dr 3.5-4* 07 5524 3333
www.calicocourtmotel.com.au Q $110 - $145
City Lights Motel 35 Minjungbal Dr 3.5+* 07 5524 3004
www.citylightsmotel.com.au Q $90 - $100 - $140 family
Caravan Parks (Closest - furtherest. There are 4 or 5 others but much much further out).
Kirra Caravan Park.
7 min drive Nth of Twin Towns. Local buses & GC Buses go nearby. Close to airport. Pet friendly. But ask about
conditions
www.tchp.com.au 07 5667 2740 10 Charlotte St Coolangatta
Boyds Bay Caravan Park.
3 Dry Dock Rd. 12-15 mins drive along old Pacific Hwy or catch the Twin Towns Bus 12 mins
Van Site $41- $45 on W/end. Lodges $70. Villas 2Br $144 or 4 day long stay rate $$280-$340
www.tchp.com.au & look for it. Pet Friendly BUT ask first. Backs onto water.
Tweed Billabong Big 4 Park
07 5524 2444 www.tweedbillabong.com.au
5 mins further out along Dr Dock Rd but not Pet friendly. Van Site $44 Cabins & Villas avail.
Colonial Tweed Holiday Park 07 5524 2999 www.colonialtweed.com.au Not pet friendly
Van site $35 -$32 for 7 days Cabins available. Is across the road to the river.
And...there is a House Boat Hire option for something different. !!
Berger House Boats Ph 07 5524 3222 www.bergerhouseboats.com.au
Boyds Bay House boats Ph 5599 1436 www.goldcoasthouseboats.com.au
There are a few others
Car Hire
There are many many car hire options varying from $27 to $35 & up per day.
Airport & Railway Shuttle Service. 1300 655 655 www.gcshuttle.com.au
There is a Gold Coast Shuttle Bus Service from airport (several) or Varsity Railway Station 765 to your place a
central place near Twin Towns. Present your Pension or Seniors card for a discount.
What to Do?
Well there are heaps to things to do. Many Old ares & art galleries. Hinterland trips. Use the GC Tourist Site or
use Google.
Some Jokes to brighten up your day
Mother's Driver's License
A mother is driving her little girl to her friend's house for a play date.
'Mummy', the little girl asks, 'how old are you?'
'Honey, you are not supposed to ask a lady her age', the mother replied. 'It's not polite'.
'OK', the little girl says,
'What colour was your hair 2 years ago?
'Now really', the mother says, 'those are personal questions and are really none of your business'.
Undaunted, the little girl asks, 'Why did you and Daddy get a divorce?'
'That's enough questions, young lady! Honestly!'
The exasperated mother walks away as the two friends begin to play.
'My Mum won't tell me anything about her,' the little girl says to her friend.
'Well,' says the friend,
'all you need to do is take a look at her driver's license.
It's like a report card, it has everything on it.' .
Later that night the little girl says to her mother, 'I know how old you are. You are 42.'
The mother is surprised and asks, 'How did you find that out?'
'I also know that you used to have brown hair.'
The mother is past surprised and shocked now.
'How in Heaven's name did you find that out?'
'And,' the little girl says triumphantly, 'I know why you and Daddy got a divorce.'
'Oh really?' the mother asks. 'Why?'
'Because on your Driving Licence it says you got an "F" for Sex
..............................................................................
Girl in bed with her boyfriend says, 'How dare you call me a slapper.
Get out of my bed right now and take your bloody mates with you'
Teacher says to little Tommy 'Why weren't you at school yesterday?'
Tommy says 'My grandfather got burnt'
Teacher says 'Badly?'
Little Tommy says 'Yes, they don't muck about at the crematorium.'
And.....
Hubby has ' I love you' tattooed on his penis, and goes home to show his wife.
She says 'There you go again, trying to put words in my mouth.
Have fun !
...............................
This is the very moving Speech by Tien Nguyen an ex ARVN Vet who came to Oz with the boats.!! Enjoy.
Firstly, I'd like to thank the organisers for inviting me to speak at the 1st Battalion Battle Group 47th anniversary Reunion this year.
I'd also like to thank my mate Bob Gibson, who I met and befriended in the Sydney Welcome Home Parade for Vietnam Veterans in
1987, and who introduced me to the organisers of this function.
The battle of Coral-Balmoral, together with the battle of Long Tan, are the two most well known combat events in the history of the
Australian army's involvement in the VN War. Those two battles epitomise the valiance and combat skills of the Australian troops,
publicly recognised and respected by the enemy in its own military history accounts. Some military historians considered the Coral
Balmoral battle even more significant than Long Tan, because it was the biggest unit level battle in the VN war for the Australians, it
lasted longer (26 days compared to 3), and it cost more Aussie lives (26 compared to 18).
The combat skills and courage of the Aussie Diggers are well known and admired among South Vietnamese soldiers and people. The
Americans relied heavily on their superior fire power and went on patrol in the jungle like going for a picnic. The VCs nicknamed
them "elephants" because of the noise they made and their smell of aftershave and Salem cigarettes that could be detected miles away.
That alerted the VCs to simply elude and avoid clashes. In contrast, the well camouflaged Aussies quietly went out at night in small
groups, sleeping in the bush, braving bites from mosquitoes and other insects, to ambush the unknowing VCs on the move
Fighting alongside one another during the war, the ARVN forged a special mateship with the Aussie diggers, resulting in a great bond
which can only be found amongst comrades-in arms.
The organisers told me to share with you my own bitter experiences in the dying days of the VN War, so today I’ll tell you my story
and hope that it will help you understand our feelings in those dark hours.
I was a young doctor in charge of the medical section of a Ranger Regiment (an elite combat unit specialised in jungle fighting), and
spent 3 years in the hottest frontlines. I had the opportunity to learn first hand about the courage, the sacrifice and the comradeship
amongst our troops. I also witnessed the tragedy and waste of war. My last post was in Tay Ninh province near the border of Cambodia,
where we fought the VCs in the Ba Den mountain area.
In 1972, the abandonment of South Vietnam was already planned when US President Nixon visited China and cut a deal with MaoTse
Tung. Anti-war movements in the US, supported by the CIA, manipulated and changed public opinion dramatically. In January 1973,
under intense pressure and threats from the US, South Vietnam's President Thieu was forced to sign the Paris Accord, which effectively
heralded the demise of South Vietnam by allowing the invading communist troops to remain in the South instead of having to withdraw
back to North Vietnam.
By the end of 1972, all allied troops including the Australians had pulled out of VN in the so-called “Vietnamisation of the war”. The
ARVN forces were left to defend South Vietnam all by themselves. But we continued to fight on and achieved brilliant victories such
as the retake of An Loc and Quang Tri during the "red hot summer" of 1972. We had proven that we were capable of defending our
country ourselves, as long as the US continued to provide ample ammunition and other military supplies.
Under public pressure, the US Congress gradually reduced aids to South Vietnam. Military supplies began dwindling in 1973 and
rapidly continued to decline. In late 1974, the US Senate voted to cut off all military aids to SVN. That began the rapid disintegration
of the Republic of Vietnam and its once valiant and mighty armed forces. There was no real victory for the enemy, as they just took
over abandoned cities after abandoned cities without much resistance.
In the final days at the frontline, I witnessed the inevitable demoralisation among my troops. It is absolutely horrifying when you are in
battle with scarce rationed ammunition against an enemy with much more destructive weapons, regularly supplied in great amounts by
China and the Soviet Union. We had only limited personal ammunition with no new supplies and no support from friendly forces, because
planes and tanks did not have enough fuel, and artillery did not have enough rounds. In such a dire situation, the enemy constantly
attacked us with ever increasing fire power. How can you keep up your morale in such circumstances?
During April 1975, we spent almost all the time in foxholes dug into the ground, as enemy artillery continually rained on us. During
daytime because of the noise around, we could not hear much. But in the quiet of the night, in the foxholes, if we pressed our ears to
the ground, we could hear the faint rumbling of enemy T54 tanks in the vicinity. It scared the hell out of me and my fellow Rangers,
because that meant those tanks could overrun our position any time while we were almost defenceless! But we tried to hold on and
waited in vain for orders from our superiors in the 3rd Military Zone Headquarter.
Under huge enemy pressure, on the night of 28 April 1975 our unit decided to flee towards Saigon. In the dark of the night, we were
continuously chased and attacked by enemy forces, and finally I was captured by the enemy. Feeling humiliated, angry and despondent,
tears streamed down my face, I cried for myself, now a prisoner of war facing a very uncertain future. When would I ever see my
family again?
We were temporarily detained in Cha Ray secret zone and it was there on 30 April that I learned of the complete collapse of South
Vietnam. Again, tears rolled down my cheeks, this time I cried for South Vietnam, my beloved country, now unjustly lost
to the communists.
l was later transferred to a concentration camp in Long Khanh province, where I spent 3 years doing hard labour in starving and subhuman
conditions as part of what the communists called the “re-education” process. It was there that I learned what "brain-washing" is
about. It is chillingly simple: by forcing you to do hard labour in starving conditions, the captors aim to reduce you to animal level, to
destroy your wills and eliminate any resistance. After a while, all you could think of would be food or a few minutes of rest, and all
your previous beliefs, your ideology, your conviction would become meaningless!
But they did not really succeed, because in most cases, prisoners like myself just laid low, kept our heads down, and waited for the day
when we could get out of the camps.
After 3 years in concentration camp, I was released in 1978 and worked in a provincial hospital 30km from Saigon, where I was in
charge of a tuberculosis clinic. My boss was an illiterate man, who was rewarded with the title of doctor because of his long service in
the Viet Cong forces as a nurse. He held the title of Doctor Director, but attended year 7 classes at night to improve his literacy. With
both his superiority complex as a victor and infererior complex as an illiterate, he did his best to make life miserable for us, qualified
doctors from the South!
After a year working in that discriminatory environment, realising that I could not even help patients in such a system, I left the job
and went into hiding because they could have arrested me anytime for “non-compliance with government’s orders”. And from then on
all I did was trying to find ways to escape.
In only a few years since they took over the South, by their cruelty and ignorance, the communists had managed to turn a prosperous
thriving society into an impoverished and suffocating environment, totally controlled by police. The whole country was under a cloud
of fear and repression, the people became suspicious and scared. More than ever, the South Vietnamese people understood the true
meaning of freedom, and yearned for it. For many including myself, there was only one choice, and that was to leave. And there started
the waves of boat people - more than a million people trying to flee Vietnam using any means available, and at any cost. It was estimated
by the UNHCR that close to half a million died unknown at sea. In Vietnam's 4000 year history, never did an exodus of that
scale occur.
I tried to flee several times without success until 1980 when, with Ai Minh my fiancée – now my wife – I escaped in a tiny boat, braving
rough sea and several attacks by Thai fishermen-turned-pirates during our traumatising 10 day journey and finally reached
Malaysian shores. There we were interviewed by delegations from different countries. And luckily, we were accepted for resettlement
in Australia.
I sat for an entry exam and was accepted to join 3rd year medicine in the UNSW Medical School, and in early 1984, I graduated and
have been practising as a GP ever since. My wife who taught music in the Saigon Conservatoire also went to the Sydney Conservatorium.
Since her graduation, she has worked as a music teacher. We have 3 beautiful daughters who were born, raised and educated
here. So, I am a very very lucky man, indeed.
I know that the Australian Vietnam Veterans were treated badly upon returning to Australia, many had mental illnesses and shattered
egos as a result. I ask you to spare a minute to think of your comrades-in-arms, the ARVN veterans, think of their bitterness, anger and
frustration for losing the war, not due to our faults but due to the betrayal of our most important ally, the US. Years of incarceration and
humiliation following the defeat left deep and unhealable scars in our souls. It took you guys 15 years to be officially recognised and
honoured in the Sydney Welcome Home Parade in 1987, which allowed you to be proud of your services to the country. For us ARVN
veterans, at present we do not even have a home to go to, let alone a welcome parade!
On this very special day, I would like to make one particular point. The Australian soldiers were sent to VN in the 60's and 70's as part
of the international allies to carry out a noble mission, which was to help protect South Vietnam's young democracy and stop the
spread of communism in South East Asia. And that is also the main duty of the Armed Forces of the Republic of VN.
Sadly, 40 years after the war ended, today VN is still a country under communist dictatorship, where there is no freedom, no democracy
and no human rights. Thousands of religious leaders, writers, journalists, students... who dared to raise their voices to demand freedom
and fairness have been put in prison. The ARVN's mission as well as yours - our common mission, has been left unfinished. We
freedom loving Vietnamese living in Australia have been doing whatever we can, using peaceful means to contribute to the ongoing
struggle to bring about freedom and democracy to Vietnam. We do hope that the Australian Vietnam Veterans will continue to stand by
our side and support our campaign until the day when Vietnam is free from communism. I firmly believe that day will come soon, so
we can have our own Welcome Home Parade. And surely we will invite you to Saigon to march with us on that glorious day.
Lastly, I would like to thank all the Vietnam Veterans who are here today, and in particular I’d like to pay tribute to the 521 soldiers
who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, including 26 in the Coral – Balmoral battle. I would also like to thank the diggers’ families,
who went through tremendous anguish while their loved ones were in Vietnam. The South Vietnamese people are forever grateful for
all those sacrifices.
LEST WE FORGET. Tien Nguyen
