War not over for Vietnam vets in Australia

War not over for Vietnam vets
Peter Weekes 15th August 2009


VIETNAM veteran Darryl Clifford can remember being on point duty, alone with a machinegun at night in the depths of the tropical jungle in 1971, not knowing whether enemy fighters were hiding in the dark ready to attack.

Yesterday he said it wasn't until he sought help years after his return that he realised just how much the horror of war had affected his life and relationships.

“At the time, you didn't realise how terrifying it was,” Mr Clifford, of Casino, said. “When you came home it was still there, but you didn't know it,” he said. “It was only after I went to a clinic that I found out how it was affecting my life.”

Mr Clifford, who celebrated his 22nd birthday in the jungles of Vietnam, was a National Serviceman whose number came up in the ballot.

He was one of the 60,000 Australian men and women who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 - Australia's longest military commitment.

More than 500 died in the war, while more than 3000 were injured.

Others have since died from war-related injuries or conditions, while still more succumb to the physical and emotional stresses caused by the war.

It wasn't until 1987 that Australia's Vietnam veterans were recognised with a 'home-coming' march, when 15,000 veterans marched through the streets of Sydney.
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War not over for Vietnam vets