I am a War Veteran of some 4 conflicts.
I originally enlisted in the RAN in 1961 and served immediately in the Malayan Theatre during the Communist uprising in that country subsequent to Malaya's attempt at becoming a Republic. Of course, they prevailed but is was due to the presence of the British Far East Fleet and the RAN plus RAAF, Australian Army and some segments of the British Army en situ that they managed to do this.Very probably, Malaya (as it was known) would now be a Communist Country otherwise.
Then we moved on to the Indonesian Crisis. The USSR had a huge Naval Presence en situ in Indonesia throughout as this was during the Cold War. It was also during this period that President John F Kennedy was assassinated and the first thought of the USA and for that matter, most of the World's citizens, that it was a Russian assassination.
Later, we were deployed into Burmese Waters (this was effectively a continuation of the Indonesian Crisis) but the two satellite states of the now Malaysian Republic - namely Sabah and Sarawak were the object of interest to the Indonesian Communist backed regime. In effect, this was a continuation of the Indonesian Crisis but as far as we were concerned and due to Geographics, it was a completely new war altogether.
I personally was a Naval Diver and it may surprise many but the infamous Blue Salt Water Crocodile of Northern Australian fame, ranges as far north as Thailand and the Philippines. With the huge rise and fall of Equatorial Tides, the waters of the region are in a constant state of flux and quite muddy. In the extreme, they are very dangerous for Diving activities. I then continued my service into the Vietnam Theatre later into the 1960's with the advent of the Vietnam War.
I have spent much time focussed upon my CV but I approach my point now. I am but one of thousands of men (and women) whom were present in the Far East during the 1960's and 1970's and took part in these many and diverse wars. We were subjected to many different types of experimental Chemicals such as Agent Orange and T 2-4-3, etc. The effects of these chemicals are still raising their heads through our offspring and the children of our offspring.
What we are having enormous problems achieving is recognition from the politicians whom sent us away upon these Wars to foreign lands and then, upon our return, be it dead or alive, they have continued for generations, 45 years in my case, to back away from their responsibilities. It is no one Political genre, both of the major parties have had their opportunities and their way with the Veterans and neither have ever lived up to their Election promises.
These same tired old promises are trotted out when ever an election is due and then they are just as promptly filed away once the election has passed. All that the veteran expects is a fair shake, we did our duty and went where we were ordered and did what we were ordered, in my case, very nearly at the cost of my very life due to the stupidity of a Naval Officer. I have been under the treatment of Psychiatrists since the RAN dumped me in 1966 (following injuries suffered) but the RAN did it in such a way as to make it impossible for me to obtain any compensation. They did it quite easily by labelling me as "Physically Unsuited for Naval Service". Very clever choice of words and those same words mean that I am ineligible for any form of compensation or for that matter, extra payments for disabilities suffered in my Pension.
I live on the bare Military Pension (with my Wife) and I receive a small stipend for Hearing Loss from the Naval Guns which sent most Sailors deaf. You see, I am but one man among thousands and now with Afghanistan and Iraq and very shortly Iran coming on line. We have Veterans returning daily, they still return from East Timor with irrepairable injuries - not all are visible, mine are not, they are mental in the form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder all caused to me by trauma suffered in combat.
I receive nothing from the Government for my injuries as I am ineligible to apply. Is there an answer to this situation? Personally, I see none short of the Australian Public, the veritable Australian Electorate standing up for the Veterans as we once stood up for you and gave you the freedoms you now enjoy, write to your local candidate, agitate for change of legislation for a reform in the Military Compensation Laws so that people whom have battle wounds (not always visible) are treated fairly and justly in consideration of the sacrifices that they have suffered in the defense of our way of life. I thank you for your time and God bless you all. Vindico.
|
Opinion Archive 
