Vietnam vets welcomed home at last

It's been the best part of half a century since they attended classes there, but last week Kaitaia College finally extended a moving welcome home to the old boys who served with the NZ Defence Force in Vietnam.

The senior students, teachers and guests packed the college hall for the ceremony, which culminated in the unveiling of a roll of honour, instigated, made and funded by veteran Richie Taaffe, naming the 41 former students who served, more than any other secondary school in the country.

"It is an honour to welcome our College old boys here today," acting principal John Paitai said.

"For you the price of duty in Vietnam has been high. To our country's shame, recognition of your service has been largely ignored. This assembly today unconditionally recognises this. You are our heroes."

One-time student Athol Johnson, who held the role of acting principal in the 1950s, who with his wife Elizabeth travelled from Auckland more than 60 years after he arrived to teach there, also felt the emotion of the occasion.

"I am somewhat overwhelmed," he said.

"I commend the school greatly for what you're doing today. It's an honour and a privilege to be here."

The school had not had a hall back in his day, and assemblies had been held in the corridors, but the memories had not faded.

He recalled school plays, in which 'Tiny' Manuera had revealed previously hidden talent, school cadet camps at Tokerau Beach "where we all got blown away in the night by a cyclone," and athletics sports days "where some of you became champions."

"And who can forget those wonderful first XV rugby games? The whole town would shut down to watch another titanic struggle at Arnold Rae Park," he added.

Having coached the first XV, memories of those "titanic struggles" were perhaps the fondest, but "It wasn't long after those days that you found yourselves in a more serious and dangerous struggle, protecting our country's interests and way of life.

"I commend you for preparing this roll of honour. It is a good reminder of the sacrifices you made on our behalf. Kaitaia College produced more Vietnam veterans than any other school in New Zealand, and this is something we can be very proud of.

"I was informed that one of the reasons you wanted to have today was to thank everyone who helped you in your youth. If we were able to help you in any way or measure it was our pleasure. Now it's our turn to thank you."

Veteran (and 1st XV member) Eru Manuera confided that the nostalgia of the occasion had quite overwhelmed him, and that the speech he had prepared had "gone out the window.'

He spoke of memories of the battlefield, sharing poetry he had learnt at school with a fellow old boy, the nostalgia for home and school life. He wished the students well for the future, and urged them to enjoy their days there, which they would one day look back on as fondly as he did

Ray Beatson recounted the history of the Vietnam war, the involvement of New Zealand troops and what they endured.

"War is not pretty," he said.

"There can be days of physically and mentally exhausting work, with short, concentrated periods of intense activity. In a hostile environment this results in a lack of sleep and food, fatigue, adrenaline pumping, fear, poor health, injury and death.

"A bond develops between members of a team, and those supporting or being supported. This comes about by trusting implicitly in individuals and the training they've received. Participants place their lives in each other's hands. This bonding between service personnel is difficult to explain to those who've not experienced the camaraderie; perhaps aroha comes close."

Terry Culley spoke of growing up at Awanui and how he had enjoyed his time at college immensely.

"This day will last with me for years," he said, adding that he continued to take an interest in the school, enjoying hearing of achievements and seeing changes.

"People ask why did we went to Vietnam. We volunteered to go, to preserve the New Zealand way of life that you now enjoy," he said, quoting an administrator at America's Fort Custer National Cemetery: 'They gave their yesterdays so you can enjoy your tomorrows.'

He also offered the students some advice': "Whatever you do, do it to the best of your capacity, and enjoy it. Set your goals and aim even higher."

The ceremony, which culminated in the unveiling of the roll of honour by Mr Johnson and Mr Taaffe's granddaughter Jada Taaffe, was followed by a long lunch at the Kaitaia fire station, where Mr Taaffe confided that the roll of honour was probably one of the best ideas he had ever had.

"It's just a pity it wasn't done for other servicemen," he said.

"It's turned out very well, something the school can look after. It got far bigger that I ever anticipated."

It was always great to catch up with everybody, he added, while his years in the Army had been the best time of his life.

"It's the people you meet and serve with," he said.

"The camaraderie, until you've witnessed it, you don't know the meaning of it. It's been a great day."

Roger Dudfield (Artillery Unit 1967-68 and a Northland Age apprentice 1960-1965) said he had been overwhelmed.

"The school did an exceptional job, and I am very proud to be here," he said.

"The fact that we are all old boys, it's a bit of a double blast reunion, meeting up with veterans and also old school mates. It is a bit unique having so many from one school."

And why did he volunteer to go to war? "I always wanted to travel, so it was an adventure for me."

Ian Johnston (Victor 6 company 1970-71): "It feels like I'm coming in from the cold. Today went a hell of a long way to healing old wounds that previous governments had inflicted. This is amazing, the energy and passion of the young people today. I have always been proud of what we did; we laid our lives on the line for our country, but I am not proud of the war itself."

And Kevin Campbell (Victor 4 company 1969-70): "It's great to see everyone today. Some of these people I haven't seen since leaving Vietnam. The day was excellent."