1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the end of 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 1: the Vietnam War, where almost sixty thousand Australian personnel from 3 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:11,400 Speaker 1: the Army, the Air Force and the Navy served, and 4 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,239 Speaker 1: Vietnam Veterans Day is today. It's an annual commemoration of 5 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: Australia's involvement in the Battle of Long Tan, Australia's most 6 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: costly battle throughout the ten year Vietnam War. There is 7 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: quite a bit happening around Australia in recognition of this anniversary. 8 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: And joining me on the show is Catherine Veterans Event 9 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: Vice President Mark Hagar. Good morning, Good morning to you. Mark. 10 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: Can you hear me there? I can, yes, Thanks so 11 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: much for your time today, Mark. What is today's commemoration 12 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: all about? 13 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 2: In Catherine, Well, I think of August represents the a 14 00:00:53,760 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 2: battle in Vietnam in nineteen sixty six in rotation at 15 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 2: Long Time, and since those early days of commemorating just 16 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 2: that battle, the day has transpired across to recognize all 17 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:29,960 Speaker 2: veterans service across also all components of the military and 18 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:36,680 Speaker 2: has become a day dedicated to recognizing the efforts put 19 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: in by all service personnel. 20 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: And Mark It hasn't sort of always been easy for 21 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: Vietnam vets since they came back, has it. 22 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 2: No. I certainly remember back in the late seventies and 23 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 2: pretty much all of the eighties where a return servicemen 24 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:11,519 Speaker 2: from the Vietnamese, from the Vietnam all were shunned and 25 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:20,639 Speaker 2: pillory by the general part. Personally, I found very disconcerting. 26 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 2: But it's pleasing to note that probably from the early 27 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 2: nineties onwards, the attitude is changing and we are certainly 28 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 2: getting more and more people attending the commemorative services, particularly 29 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 2: the three big ones, which is the Ans, Actor, Veterans Day, 30 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:48,239 Speaker 2: and Remembrance Day. 31 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:51,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I think it's so important that people do attend. 32 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: I think it is so important that we commemorate these 33 00:02:56,639 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: occasions as well. Now in Catherine, tell us exactly what's planned. 34 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 2: We're having a small service this afternoon at starting at 35 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 2: around about at six o'clock at our cenotaph on Railway Nurse. 36 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 2: So we're asking if people can can start to gather 37 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 2: from around about five thirty onwards. Seating or forming up 38 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 2: will be at about five to six, and then the 39 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 2: service will start at six o'clock. Whatever fortunate to a. 40 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 3: Certain degree in having. 41 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 2: A raft personnel from Tyndall who are able to attend 42 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: our service. 43 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 3: But we are we also welcome. 44 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 2: Or like to see a lot of the gray nomad 45 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 2: return that like to call it, that like to come 46 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 2: up to the territory at this time of year. 47 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, I reckon you'll get a good crowd. Are you expecting? 48 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: How many are you expecting? 49 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:18,440 Speaker 2: I've got no idea on numbers. They fluctuate, although like 50 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:25,479 Speaker 2: I've been involved with with the RSL and the the 51 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 2: delivery of commemoray services for about twenty five years and 52 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 2: the numbers that they're certainly increasing each each year. I 53 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: think last last year. 54 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 3: Post COVID, we had about thirty people there and I. 55 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:53,359 Speaker 2: Would suspect that we're likely to get slightly more numbers 56 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 2: than that to today's service. 57 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:00,919 Speaker 1: Now are there There are a lot of all Vietnam 58 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: veterans in the Northern Territory, aren't they. 59 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 2: I'm not sure on the on the numbers, but yes, 60 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 2: I don't think we're fairly well represented across the board 61 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 2: from well pretty much also from all all conflicts now 62 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 2: or particularly the more latter day once Afghanistan, Iraq. But yeah, 63 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:36,559 Speaker 2: I think a lot of the Vets, and I can't 64 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 2: I can't speak for them, but the conversations I've had 65 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:43,479 Speaker 2: with a few of them are that they they like 66 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 2: they like the territory because of the the limited numbers 67 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 2: of people that are around, the potential isolation, and nobody 68 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:58,279 Speaker 2: getting on your case. 69 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 1: Well, which is fair enough off now tell us tell 70 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 1: us Mark, you know, I know that there we've got 71 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 1: We've got people of all ages that listen to this show, 72 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 1: but there will be some some of the younger generation 73 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: listening this morning. And and you know, if you could 74 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: sort of I guess if you could get one message 75 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 1: across to them as to why today is such an 76 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: important day in you know, in Australia's history and also 77 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 1: for us in the Northern Territory. What would you say to. 78 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:34,040 Speaker 2: That it gives us the opportunity to recognize the sacrifices 79 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 2: made by our predecessors in to ensure that we are 80 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 2: able to live in a democratically free country that isn't 81 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: affected by internal wars or major conflicts, unlike some of 82 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 2: the other countries European countries and African But whilst we're whilst, 83 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 2: we need to remember those that have gone before us. 84 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 2: We also need to consider the need for future generations. 85 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 3: And be able to. 86 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 2: Provide them with direction in how to deal with with 87 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 2: potential conflict. 88 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: Well, Mark, I really appreciate your time this morning. If 89 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 1: anybody is out there listening this morning and they're maybe 90 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 1: on the road or they are in Catherine, I know 91 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: we've got plenty of listeners in Catherine. Can anybody attend 92 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: this evening's event and what's the best way for them 93 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 1: to get involved? 94 00:07:56,080 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 2: Everybody is most welcome this afternoon, as I said earlier, 95 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 2: assembly between from five point thirty onwards at the Cenotaph 96 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 2: on the railway Terrace. Kick A commencement of the service 97 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 2: will be at six pm yep. And we're also hosting 98 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: a a dinner for anybody who's interested at the Catherine 99 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 2: Country Club after the service, so people are most welcome 100 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 2: to attend that as well. 101 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 1: Well, Mark Hager, I really appreciate you coming on the 102 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 1: show this morning and having a chat with us, and 103 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: you know I'm giving us that insight. But also if 104 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 1: there is ever anything happening in Catherine, you know, when 105 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 1: it comes to defense and when it comes to our veterans, 106 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: please do keep in contact and let us know we'd 107 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:55,640 Speaker 1: love to have you back on the show. 108 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 2: Certainly. Katie, thank you very much, Thanks so. 109 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 1: Much, thank you. We appreciate your time and and thank 110 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: you for your service. 111 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 2: Roger, thank you very much.