War Vet finds peace in Vietman

In reliving the scene of bitter memories, Ian Taylor also discovered a beautiful country filled with friendly people.

I did my tour of duty in Vietnam between June 1968 and May 1969. For many years, I thought I would return to Vietnam as part of a veteran’s group. Instead, I travelled to Vietnam with members of my family. Here I was at the Long Tan Memorial Cross, which is dedicated to the memory of all Vietnam veterans, and I was the only veteran in the tour group.

It was raining lightly and the eerie silence and ethereal light pervaded the rubber plantation we passed through on the way to the Memorial. My emotions were on high alert but my wife Carolyn broke the spell: “No wonder your letters home were all stained red – look at the colour of the mud!”

In the small clearing where the Memorial Cross is located, our local guide told us an official ceremony had taken place two days beforehand on August 18. That day is now known as Vietnam Veteran’s Day in Australia.

We were offered dozens of red roses to place at the foot of the memorial. I was surprised to be asked if I would read the Ode during the ceremony. I wasn’t aware that a ceremony was about to take place so I asked, “What ceremony?”

I was told they always have a ceremony for escorted tours visiting the memorial. How could I refuse such an honour?

One of the local guides conducted a simple ceremony, explaining the history of the Cross and reading out the citation on the plaque. I then read the Ode and we placed our roses on the memorial. Memories flooded back and tears flowed as I remembered the men I had fought alongside.

For my family and me, the chance to take part in this ceremony was the tour highlight. On that same day, we also managed a visit to Nui Dat, the site of the Australian task force base. Our visit there was part of an 11-day revelation which involved travelling all the way from Vietnam’s northern capital Hanoi to Halong Bay, from the old imperial fortress of Hue through to Ho Chi Minh City (though I remember it as Saigon). I was struck by the beauty of the country’s coastal areas and by the amount of reconstruction and industry taking place in the towns and cities.

Such spectacles would have meant nothing without the friendliness of the Vietnamese people and the knowledge of the guides. The tour was a moving one and it meant a lot to me that I could return to Vietnam during happier times.*

Cash in on Way2Go

Double deal launches the magazine that pays you for your holidays

NRMA is offering Members a special EARLYBIRD DOUBLE DEAL to celebrate the imminent launch of its exciting real-life travel magazine, Way2go.

Billing itself as “the magazine that pays you for your holidays”, Way2go is on sale in January at newsagents all over Australia.

Members who take out a subscription in November or December will save up to $26.40. See details below.

That’s part one of the double deal. Part two is our offer to Members to contribute their own amazing travel tales, with cash prizes up to $400. See box on previous page for details. 

Editor Sandy McPhie says Way2go will take a fresh approach by specialising in real travel stories from real travellers.

“Way2go travellers will share their emotional journeys as well as their information and advice on destinations,” says Sandy.

“It will remind everyone that holidays are not just about time off work; they can be life-changing experiences.”

“The magazine will cover a broad range of travel styles within Australia and overseas, from camping weekends and budget getaways to European tours and African adventures. There will also be expert advice on everything from booking holidays online to clever packing.”

Sandy has spent many years working on real-life magazines. She is a former editor of That’s Life! and has worked on a number of other mass market titles including Take 5, For Me and Woman’s Day.

Win up to $400 for your Way2Go story

Way2go, the travel magazine that pays you for your holidays, launches in January with a big collection of real travel stories from real travellers. Your own travel tale could win up to $400 cash. Have you entertained friends with a story from your last holiday? Or maybe you snapped a great photo that tells a story of it’s own? If so, Way2go wants to hear from you.

There will be a prize or cash reward for every story published, and you don’t have to be a brilliant writer – just send us the outline of your tale (150 words or less) and, if we select it for publication, one of our writers will get in touch.

Stories have to be true, but can be funny, heart-warming or breathtaking.

To submit your story outline, email editor@way2gomag.com.au with ‘Story Competition’ in the subject line, or post to Way2go story competition, PO Box 1026, Strathfield NSW 2135. Please include your full name, address and a daytime phone number.

Open Road November/December 2008