A Vietnam vet and a former creative director in advertising gave insights into their former careers at Katikati U3A’s last meeting.
John Barrett, a New Zealand Army veteran who served in Vietnam, was the main speaker of the meeting.
John gave a personal account of serving as a 21-year-old with the 161 Field Battery in the Vietnam War.
“Unlike other war theatres, Vietnam posed a different scenario. Soldiers had to counter guerilla warfare against an illusory enemy through jungles. Sound travels through the jungle, so it was imperative to be always on the alert when moving through the thickets of bamboo and elephant grasses. Hand signals were used to signal to other soldiers in the group.”
John said of the nature of camp living: “Home is where you dig it.”