By Parker McKenzie
Emerald RSL’s Anzac Day ceremony commemorated Vietnam veterans and those called up for national service on Tuesday 25 April, 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War.
Starting from the town centre at 10.30am, a large crowd of veterans, community groups and locals marched through Emerald to Memorial Avenue.
Emerald RSL President Peter Maloney said Emerald was once again covered in poppies, which has been a tradition since 2018.
“This year we honour all those men and women who served in Vietnam and those who were called up for national service,” he said.
“It is appropriate on Anzac Day to reflect on all our friends and forebears who fought for Australia.”
Mr Maloney said honouring those who served in Vietnam was especially important to him because he is a Vietnam vet.
“If you’re old enough to remember, we were never given a traditional Welcome back. I always think about when the band playing Waltzing Matilda when the boat came back from overseas,” he said.
“It wasn’t a popular war and we had to do what we had to do, and many of my fellow vets suffered because of that, because of the trauma they experienced in Vietnam.”
Emerald RSL Vice President Kane Falconer said more than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam.
“Australian troops played a significant role in defending Saigon and were praised for the bravery and tenacity during the Vietnam War, 521 soldiers were killed with more than 3000 wounded,” he said.
“For many years, the Vietnam veterans of the Vietnam War were left in obscurity. They’re often ridiculed and stigmatised which made the transition into civilian life even more challenging, as well as the negative sentiments towards return soldiers from some sections of the anti-war movement.”
Students from Emerald Secondary College and Emerald Primary School spoke next, talking about Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Next, Mr Falconer presented Mr Maloney and his wife Gabby Maloney with lifetime membership of the Emerald RSL.
Mr Maloney said he had little involvement in the RSL after serving in Vietnam, until 14 years ago when he decided to join the Anzac Day march in Emerald.
“I decided to match and others that was only one of the few veterans out there that morning,” he said.
“Apart from a year or two where I had a rest, I’ve been very proud to be the president.”
Wreaths were laid on the cenotaph by local community groups before the community was invited to lay poppies.
