By Jo-Marie Baker
New Zealanders spat on people like Doug Moore and Roy Sanders when they returned home from the Vietnam war - they had things thrown at them, were cursed at and generally frowned upon.
"Basically we were traitors. You didn't dare go out in uniform or mention anything about being in the army," Mr Moore recalls.
But after a more than 30 years, Vietnam veterans exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange have got the recognition they have been waiting for - a $30 million package that includes an apology from the prime minister and compensation.
They will also get the welcome parade they never got when they returned home from Vietnam.
Ex-gratia payments will be made to veterans with certain medical conditions ($40,000), the spouses of veterans with these conditions who had died ($25,000), and children who have suffered health effects as a result of their parents' exposure to the toxic environment in Vietnam ($30,000).
The two Bay men have welcomed the package, saying they are thrilled something was at long last being done.
Mr Sanders, who served in the artillery, had to retire as a joiner three years ago on medical grounds, said the $40,000 payment would help make life easier.
"It still won't eradicate everything but it will make a bit of a difference. There's a lot of guys out there who are hurting. I think this will help."
Mr Moore, who has battled eight or nine skin cancers in the past 15 years and suffered from other health problems, was also pleased.
"Money doesn't buy back health but I dare say it will help a lot."
Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange but this was not recognised until two years ago when Parliament's health select committee carried out a major inquiry.
Defence Minister Phil Goff and Veterans Affairs Minister Rick Barker announced the package, saying the Government had adopted all but two of the inquiry's recommendations.
"I think there are legitimate questions that can be asked as to why authorities for so long got it wrong about New Zealanders being subject to the spraying of Agent Orange," Mr Goff said.
But rather than a conspiracy, he thought it more likely there had been a "stuff up".
"Today you would not have the same problems ... in terms of records of what areas were sprayed," he said.
"But I do regret that it took successive governments and agencies ... as long as it did to address these problems."
Veterans' groups said the package had been "hard won" but was "just and fair".
Returned Services Association president John Campbell said it went beyond what veterans from the US and Australia had received.
with NZPA
Vets pleased with Govt package
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