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ATTENDING Bega's Vietnam Veterans Day service was Bermagui's Dave Richard-Preston, who served in the war from 1969-70 in the 101st Field Battery 1st Regiment.
He toured in support of composite Anzac 6th Royal Australian Army/New Zealand battalion where he served as an artillery signaller in command posts, as well as serving as a forward observation signaller attached to the New Zealand Victor IV rifle company.
As a signaller, it was his job to call in fire support from the Australian guns and spent most of his time in the Phuc Tuy Province.
He was discharged in Brisbane, where he said he felt the general resentment in the community.
“Like most veterans we felt shunned to the point I didn’t admit I was a Vietnam vet for many years,” he said.
“That dissipated in the late '80s and I found people realised we were sent there to do a job, which we did damn well, and that should be recognised in its own right, putting aside the morality and politics of the war.”
He had experienced support from RSL branches after living in Victoria, ACT, Queensland and NSW and was able to join soon after being discharged.
