NSW: Vietnam Veterans Day remembers those still suffering

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NSW: Vietnam Veterans Day remembers those still suffering

SYDNEY, Aug 18 AAP - It may be 30 years since the last Australian troops left Vietnam,but for many veterans of the Vietnam war the suffering goes on.

The 501 Australian soldiers and seven Australian civilians killed in the conflict weretoday remembered on Vietnam Veterans Day.

But State President of the NSW Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association, Barry Billing,said the day also "recognises all those who are still suffering from their experiencein Vietnam".

Mr Billing addressed a crowd of about 200 people, including NSW Governor Marie Bashir,at a wreath laying ceremony today at the Cenotaph in Sydney's Martin Place.

He said the Vietnam war was the longest Australia had ever fought in and its effectswere still being felt today.

"Many have still not got over it, either mentally or physically," he told AAP.

"The victims are our families, our children ... the Vietnam war was all encompassing."

Nearly 61,000 Australians served in Vietnam, 18,000 of them conscripts.

Mr Billings said a 1998 study into the health of 40,000 Vietnam veterans "showed thatwe suffer the highest cancer rates of the Australian population".

He said Vietnam veterans were more likely to commit suicide than any other group ofAustralians, while their children also had an alarmingly high suicide rate.

The study also revealed high rates of panic attacks, depression and anxiety and sleepdisorders among Vietnam veterans.

"The Vietnam veteran paid a very, very high price for his service," Mr Billings said.

But he said today was also an opportunity "to celebrate our achievements and our devotionto our country".

Vietnam Veterans Day marks the anniversary of the famous Battle of Long Tan, when 140Australian and New Zealand troops took on more than 2,000 enemy troops.

Eighteen Australians were killed and another 21 were wounded in action in the 1966 battle.

In another battle at Fire Support Base Coral and Balmoral, during the 1968 Tet Offensive,3,500 Australian troops drove back more than 20,000 enemy soldiers.

"We were professional soldiers and national servicemen, trained to do our job and wedid it well," Mr Billings said.

AAP ka/nf/drp/jlw

KEYWORD: VETS NSW (PIX AVAILABLE)