Wartime friendships renewed

Rotorua Vietnam veterans Danny McCort (left), Rick Thame and Bill McDonald are looking forward to catching up with old mates at this weekend's Vietnam War reunion in Rotorua. Photo/Ben Fraser

They are known as New Zealand's forgotten heroes, but this weekend they will all be remembered when hundreds of Vietnam War veterans meet in Rotorua.

The biennial reunion will be held across the long weekend with more than 250 veterans and their families, from as far away as the United States and Australia, coming to Rotorua to catch up with lifelong friends made during the conflict which raged between 1964 and 1972.

Reunion co-organiser Danny McCort was a Gunnery Sergeant for 161 Battery in Vietnam between 1965 and 1968 and was involved in the famous battle of Long Tan.

He said many veterans were still sore about the treatment they received by the government and the New Zealand public on their return.

"They didn't want to know us. We did what we were told to do because we were soldiers, the war was very unpopular, but we did what the government said and did it well.

"These guys are very special fellas these Vietnam vets."

Mr McCort said the support from local businesses had been amazing with more than $5000 worth of "goodies" donated to them for the long weekend.

"We really appreciate their kindness. Te Arawa have also been marvellous to us."

Highlights of the weekend will be a reunion dinner at the Blue Baths on Saturday and a memorial service for the 37 New Zealanders who died during the conflict at Muruika Urupa (cemetery) in Ohinemutu at 11am on Sunday.

"Each of those 37 men who laid down their lives upon the altar of freedom will have his own flag with his name and his photograph on it," Mr McCort said.

Bill McDonald, a former Warrant Officer for 1st NZATTV (Army Training Team Vietnam), said the best thing to come out of the war were the lifelong friendships they all made.

"You can't really talk about what we experienced over there with anyone else - we just don't have the language for it.

"The only parallel I can think of is a woman having a child - you can talk about it - but you can never experience it."

Rick Thame was a Corporal in Victor 5 Company, 2RAR/NZ (Anzac) Battalion in 1970 and 1971 and was part of just the second Anzac battalion ever formed between New Zealand and Australian soldiers.

He said veterans were still fighting for recognition and the support they deserved.