Don’t repeat Viet snub for troops, says vet

By Shaun Inguanzo
NOBLE Park war veterans have urged Australians to avoid a repeat of the Vietnam War homecoming when Australian troops arrive back from Iraq.
This week the Federal Government announced it would withdraw Australian troops from Iraq almost five years after they entered under a different government.
The withdrawal fulfils an election promise by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Noble Park RSL president, and Vietnam War veteran, Gordon Murray, said Australians should be proud of their servicemen and women and not transfer their feelings about the political nature of the war on to troops who had no say in where they were sent.
“I hope they get better treatment than the Vietnam vets got when we came back,” Mr Murray said, referring to public dissent and maltreatment of returned Vietnam servicemen.
“I would encourage the troops to join the Returned and Services League movement to help look after the welfare of themselves and their dependents.”
Mr Murray said Noble Park RSL, which has a strong history of accepting troops from modern conflicts before most other clubs, already had members and welfare recipients who had served in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.
“Major General David McLaughlin has just put out a brief urging RSLs to welcome all young veterans into the RSL movement,” he said. “Sadly, all of our World War II blokes are passing away and the Vietnam vets are getting older and longer in the tooth.”
Mr Murray said troops never had a say in where they were sent, and therefore political feelings should be reserved for politicians and the decision makers of the day.
“You’ve got to realise that these men and women serving Australia are not a political football,” he said. “They’re young Australians who have served us, joined up to help the country, and they should be treated with respect.
“If you have any political problems, then go to the politicians.”
A total of 3700 Australian Defence Force personnel have served in southern Iraq, training Iraqi police and soldiers in counter-insurgency tactics.