Vietnam gongs cause RSA clash

Former Otaki RSA president Don Moselen pictured with wife Doreen allegedly wore medals he was not entitled to. Photo / Supplied

Members of Otaki Returned Services Association say if their former president is convicted of improper wearing of medals it will be a breach of trust and condemned by legitimate war veterans.

Don Moselen wore Vietnam medals at Anzac Day services but records do not show him serving in the war.

Complaints were made to RSA national headquarters in 2010 and he was asked for an explanation and to stop wearing the medals. He was then seen wearing them on Anzac Day, which led to the rare charge being laid.

Moselen did not enter a plea when he appeared in the Levin District Court yesterday and was remanded to appear next month when a formal plea is expected.

It is an offence to wear medals you are not entitled to, and offenders could be fined $500. One of his former club mates, John Underwood, last night told the Herald everyone was prepared to let the court process run its course, but said the club was already suffering anguish because no explanation had been given.

Mr Underwood, who is ex-military, is acting president of Otaki RSA after the club suspended Mr Moselen when he couldn't provide proof he had been to Vietnam.

"Look mate, I'm not happy. The thing is it may end up the whole thing is legitimate so we don't want to prejudge ... If it turns out and it's as the charges are then we need to meet as an executive and we have a number of options."

He said if the allegations were proven it would be an enormous breach of trust. "Can you imagine the Vietnam vets ... They don't really tolerate things like that."

The court process would at least, "bring everything out into the open". He said the allegations had been a "huge shock" as Moselen had done some great things for the community.

Medals were sacred things and the dawn parade was a special time for returned servicemen.

"So it really goes against the grain when things like this happen," he said.