The deplorable vandalism of our sacred space by individuals, who, most likely have never experienced war and its consequences, staggers the imagination, writes Gavin O’Brein after “Eyes on Gaza” was spray painted on the Vietnam war memorial, Canberra.
I am a Vietnam Veteran, a conscript under National Service, who spent just under a year deployed with the 8th Field Ambulance, the 1st Australian Task Force, based at Nui Dat in the then Phouc Tuy Provence. I arrived in Vietnam on Remembrance Day, November 11th, 1970, returning to Australia with the final withdrawal of our troops on October 24th, 1971. A mate of mine, L/Cpl. John Franscis Gillespie was killed whilst on a “Dust Off” Mission in April 1970. A memorial originally listing him as a MIA is located on the War Memorial side of the site. His remains were recovered and interned at Springfield Cemetery in Melbourne some years ago.
The deplorable vandalism of our sacred space by individuals, who, most likely have never experienced war and its consequences, staggers the imagination. The Gaza conflict, portrayed graphically on the evening news, shows for many of today’s generation the absolute horrors of conflict and possible war crimes by Hamas. While I am horrified by the collateral damage to civilians, unfortunately war is no respecter of human life be they combatants or civilians. I witnessed that at first hand in Vietnam.
The Vietnam War was the first war to be broadcast on nightly television with all its horror. We, as the “boots on the ground”, carrying out the orders of our elected representatives, had to endure attacks on our honor on our return home, being accused of war crimes ourselves. The politicians who sent us there never faced such abuse and have never had to answer for their decision to send us there or to Afghanistan or Iraq.
We continue to endure the burden of their flawed decisions.
Many of us, often years later, when told by mates at Reunions after the “welcome Home Parade’; that we were entitled to compensation for our service caused conditions had to fight the DVA to have our disability/s recognised. Many sadly, have given up the battle which can take years to achieve, if ever!
Many of our servicemen, who either volunteered as ‘regulars’ or were ordered, as I was, continue to suffer physical, psychological and emotional distress, resulting from what we witnessed. In some cases the only solution to their distress was suicide. Two members of our quite small Unit are known to have taken their lives since 1972. Many more have had their lives shortened from their experiences or medical conditions resulting from chemical exposure or illnesses contracted during their service. This senseless graffiti on our memorial will only deepen the distress these men and women face daily in their lives.
To write that I am angry and distressed by this senseless act is far from the truth. No doubt many of us would love to get our hands on these idiots and make them clean up their mess. Maybe a stint in the Army might sort them out.
As this is not an isolated incident – a similar act was reported by the media to have occurred last ANZAC Day – maybe it is time that the Courts imposed a stiff custodial sentence for such behaviours.
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