In Seymour Victoria. the Mitchell Sub Branch is still heavily involved in the construction of Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk, a project to name all 62,100 people who went to Vietnam, with a small hole next to each name for a Poppy. We are looking at walls made from polished granite although our original idea was stainless steel (found out it will only last for about 20 years, we want something permanent)
Spotted Gum trees will be planted plantation style to resemble rubber trees and grasses to represent rice paddies. We already have a Centurion Tank and an M2A2 howitzer as artefacts and are working on more, like a Huey, a 40/60 Bofors mount and a few other irons in the fire.
We have engaged a Project Manager to organise the various State bodies acting as speed humps to the completion of the Walk, and by the time you read this the tenders should have been let for the design and construction of the walls and landscaping. If all goes to plan the construction will be completed by December this year.
We are aiming for an early to mid-march 2013 opening of the second stage of the Walk so keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for confirmation of this function and keep that time-space open for what should be a big day of Commemoration. There has been a few of the entertainers of that period of our lives contact us and we may be able to put on a concert as part of the day. That will send shivers down your back.
We have had a terrific response from vets wanting their names on the Walls, very heartening. Just remember, if your name is on the DVA database, your name will be on the Walls. Some are not on the AWM list or the VVAA Victoria list but are on DVA, I’ve had to check a few just to make sure. If in doubt check the DVA nominal roll.
The engraved pavers are still open and will remain so for all this year at least. After that and if it is feasible we may be able to still have pavers replace some of the Red Scoria path in places. We will see.
Ross Gregson
Secretary
Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk
Recurring bad dreams and the like are something you see with veterans of just about any conflict. My grandfather was a landing craft pilot in World War II, and while he mostly treats his service in the Atlantic theater as this big adventure he had in his youth, there are some aspects that he simply will not talk about. For that matter, if you watch his face while he recounts certain incidents, you can see where he’s mentally editing out parts that he’d rather not remember. I figure a bit of lingering unease is a natural and inevitable consequence of putting civilized people in the most uncivilized circumstances imaginable. On the other hand, the Vietnam vet who married one of my mom’s old high school friends proves that it’s possible to be both more or less fully functional in normal society and stone psycho. To outward appearances, he’s just a tired, quiet old man, but get a few drinks in him, and the stories that come out of his mouth will freeze your frigging blood.