Tribute for Vietnam Vets launched at Parliament

Tribute '08 Chairman Chris Mullane addresses the crowd at the launch at Parliament.

23 August 2007

Tribute ’08, a celebration to honour veterans and their families’ contributions to New Zealand was launched by Prime Minister Helen Clark at Parliament on 21 August.

The launch was attended by Defence Minister Phil Goff, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Rick Barker, several Vietnam vets, representatives of other political parties, and other invited guests.

Organised by the Ex-Vietnam Veterans’ Association, Tribute ’08: A Vietnam Commemoration will be held in Wellington over Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2008.  It will include:

• An opening ceremony
• A whakanoa ceremony honouring those killed in action and veterans who have died since returning home
• A memorial service and rededication of the Vietnam Honour in the National War Memorial and
• An exhibition of New Zealand’s military heritage with a special focus on Vietnam.

The event aims to increase recognition of Vietnam veterans and families in the community and provide a vehicle to acknowledge the inadequate treatment given to veterans when they returned home in the early 1970s.

PM Helen Clark said Tribute ’08 will acknowledge those who lost their lives in Vietnam, and the surviving veterans and their families for their sacrifices in the service of New Zealand.

“It has fallen to our government to deal with the longer term consequences of New Zealand ’s involvement in the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s.

“Whatever people’s views on the Vietnam War, those who served, like other New Zealand soldiers before and after them, undertook their duties bravely, loyally and professionally,” she said.

Defence Minister Phil Goff said veterans had spoken of the negative response they personally felt on their return to New Zealand.

“A public commemoration acknowledging the service of the veterans and the sacrifices of their families is important - even after 40 years -  to allow a healing process to occur”  he said.

Tribute ’08 will be supported by the New Zealand Defence Force through the provision of personnel for a parade and display material for an exhibition.

3800 New Zealand military personnel served in Vietnam from 1964 to 1973.

ENDS

For further information about Tribute 08 please contact Events Manager Ally Clelland at Defence Public Relations, 04 496 0273 or 021 569 130.