"Vietnam was not just about big battles," Major John Brien (retired) told an engaged crowd of veterans, supporters, local politicians, students and school leaders in Weeroona Park, Stanthorpe on August 18 to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
"It involved day-to-day operations ... (like) patrolling the jungle for weeks on end and seeing no 'bad guys' but still the threat existed ... (and) this was the real war.
"Like most solders who went to war, it starts out as a big adventure but then you were shot at, you shot at the enemy, you saw the side affects of war (with) dead and wounded on both sides."
Major Brien was joined by his wife, Jeanette, who was "heavily involved" in training and movement of National Servicemen during the war.
The commemorations had begun by Stanthorpe Sub-Branch President Martin Corbett welcoming the crowd and local, Ben Boland offering a perspective of the impact of the sacrifice of all, Chaplain Boland saying service was given "honourably".
"It is fitting that we honour the Vietnam Veterans on this special day on our national calendar when we recognise all those who served and especially the 521 men who paid the supreme sacrifice on active duty in the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1972," Mr Corbett said.
"As a nation we must never forget the service and sacrifice of the Australians who served their nation... They are a remarkable generation of men and women who together with their families have fought hard to ensure that their service is never forgotten."
Representatives from Southern Downs Regional Council included Councillors Russell Wantling, Sarah Deane and Morwenna Harslett while James Lister MP also presented a wreath.
Mr Lister told us that August 18 is "an important opportunity to remember and be grateful for the sacrifice of those soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen who served, were wounded or died in Vietnam".
"Many were further wounded by the reception some of their countrymen gave them on their return, and by the lack of support they received in the years after the war."
As a veteran, Mr Lister said he was conscious that those who served in Vietnam haven't always been treated as well as he has, stating: "As a more recent military veteran myself, I am particularly mindful of how much better I have been treated than the Vietnam vets before me.
"We must never forget those blindnesses and injustices of the past, and always strive to look after our veterans and their families.”
Major Brien enlisted in 1967 and attended Officer Cadet School at Portsea. He was posted to 8RAR as a Platoon Commander and then in Malaya and South Vietnam in 1969 and 1970.
Stanthorpe veteran Norm Steele, who also presented a wreath, served with him as a "machine gunner".
"From 1971 to 1979 I served in the Special Air Service Regiment SASR - in various postings including a detachment with US Special Forces," Major Brien said.
He had other postings before his retirement in 1988 and now is a doctor of "traditional Chinese Medicine" and lives in Brisbane.
Mr and Mrs Brien arrived in Stanthorpe on August 17 and told The Town & Country Journal they were enjoying being on the Granite Belt, also pleased to be photographed with Chaplain Boland well after the service, the three the last to remain after the crowds moved on, with decorated veterans and their families invited to the nearby RSL Club.
