Ceremonies around Australia, including the National War Memorial in Canberra and at Kiama’s Memorial Arch in Hindmarsh were held on Vietnam Veteran’s Day on Friday 18 August, 2023. They marked 50 years since the withdrawal of Australian troops from the Vietnam War. 

The last to leave were embassy guards in 1973, with all troops withdrawn from combat operation in 1972.

There are estimated to be more than 35,000 Australian veterans of this war still alive, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs. 

Last week the NSW president of the RSL, Ray James, issued a formal apology to veterans who were badly treated when they returned. He noted 4,800 Vietnam Veterans are signed up to the NSW RSL, but over 8,000 veterans are not members. 

Gary McKay, President of the Kiama and Jamberoo RSL sub branch, has written over 25 books with his most recent After the Blood Cools about the mental and physical challenges after combat and is available here. 

Gary McKay said when contacted by The Bugle  “Like the Welcome Home Parade in 1987, 16 years after we left Vietnam, the ‘apology’ is probably too little too late.”

https://livinghistorytv.com/book/after-the-blood-cools-the-warriors-dilemma/