Returned soldiers and their families
After the war was over and the Australian troops came home, they were angry and confused by the reaction they met. They were not welcomed home as they had expected they would be. Many veterans felt like they were being blamed for the war - instead of the government. Soldiers did not receive an official 'Welcome Home' parade until 1987 - nearly 20 years after the last soldiers left Vietnam. Many veterans felt their service to their country went unrecognised and un-thanked. The Vietnam War was unlike any other war Australian soldiers had fought in that no one really knew how to deal with the after effects of it. Vietnam was not a war fought on open fronts, with areas of safety to which soldiers could retreat. Soldiers were constantly on alert for the enemy. Soldiers did not always know who the enemy was. The enemy could be the women and children soldiers thought they were protecting. The result was that many Vietnam veterans suffered psychological damage in the form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Source (SONG)
The song 'I Was Only Nineteen' was a huge hit in Australia in 1980. It was written by a band called Red Gum and is still a very popular song among veterans. The song talks about the lead singer, John Schuman's experiences in Vietnam and the effect it had on him.
Song Chorus Below
Song Chorus Below
- and townsville lined the footpath as we marched down to the quay. this clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean, and there's me in my slouch hat with my slr and greens, god help me, i was only nineteen.