His responsibility was to get everyone home for Christmas.
More than 35 years later, Vietnam veteran Brian Marshall, the last New Zealand soldier to return from the war-torn country at the end of 1972, was among 1000 veterans in Wellington for commemoration weekend Tribute 08.
After a morning
march to Parliament, the veterans and families accepted the Crown's apology for the lack of recognition for their service and inadequate support since their return.
"The experience was very special," said Marshall. "Particularly meeting with people I hadn't seen in 40 years, people I went to school with in Kaitaia and who also served in Vietnam. The general feeling is of finally coming home."
The 37 New Zealanders who died in Vietnam were represented by photos and their names and the dates they died were read out.
Marshall's daughter Sharyn Forsyth said the apology was long overdue. "They served their country and they deserve that acknowledgment."
Almost 3400 New Zealanders served in Vietnam between June 1964 and December 1972.
About 187 were wounded, some very seriously, and many suffered long-term effects.
