FOR Ross Benton, of Bendigo, last weekend’s reunion was about “closure”.
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His search for mates from the Vietnam conflict has spanned 43 years and overcome illness-induced memory loss and even a “return from the grave” (Brothers in arms, click here for story).
“While the reunion is light-heartedly titled ‘Tent 28’ for the four of us who resided in my tent while I was there - being Neil Daw, Chris Bean, Brian Pender and myself - the weekend would not have occurred if it wasn't for my search for Ken Graham, which commenced 43 years ago,” Mr Benton said.
“For me the reunion is about closure.
“I know we will meet up again, somewhere in the future, but if we never meet again, the journey is over.
“I can now live the rest of my life in the knowledge that we all got together, wished each other well and expressed to each other a job well done - which no-one else had previously offered, particularly those in power at the time.
“Importantly it has been a time to recharge the camaraderie established while in Vietnam - enough to last a lifetime.
“The story some were told that Brian and I did not make it out of Vietnam alive was a disappointment.
“Both of us suffered from a mosquito-borne disease and were shipped home to recover in Australia.”
Mr Benton said an interesting footnote to the weekend was the reminder that one of their platoon commanders while in Vietnam with HQ 1ATF was Lt Cosgrove, now Major General Cosgrove (ret) – “A great leader of men”.
“We all express our thanks to the Bega District News for their contribution to the cause by helping me find Brian Pender, an important chapter to the story.
“One that perhaps may never have an ending.”
