John Phoenix and Hank Kreemers of the Mitchell sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia are hoping that the community supports a vital project at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Essential works are required for Seymour’s one-of-a-kind war memorial on High St, and the committee behind it all is seeking aid from the community.
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Over 10 years ago, the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk was unveiled by Seymour’s Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Mitchell sub-branch.
The 106 glass panels, which memorialise the Australians who served in the Vietnam War, still stand tall, attracting tourists from across the country, and the globe, to town.
A notable feature of the walk is the glass panels set in a square shape, which each honour the four Vietnam veteran awardees of the prestigious Victoria Cross medal.
Herein lies the issue, however, as a veteran has since been posthumously awarded the honour.
After years of advocacy, Private Richard Norden was posthumously awarded the VC last year for his service during the Battle of Coral-Balmoral in the Bien Hoa province in Vietnam.
Pte Norden VC was initially awarded with a Distinguished Conduct Medal; however, this was overturned so that he could be distinguished with a higher honour.
On May 14, 1968, heavy enemy fire fell on Pte Norden VC’s platoon.
Risking his life with little cover protecting him, the soldier ran back into enemy fire three times to rescue his wounded peer and recover the body of another.
Pte Norden VC returned to Australia, but died soon after while on active service with the Australian Capital Territory Police in 1972.
While the Seymour members of the VVAA Mitchell sub-branch are relieved that the late veteran has finally received the honour he deserves, the acclaim presents a challenge.
President John Phoenix said significant works would need to take place in order to include Pte Norden VC in the walk.
“(Pte Norden VC) is the first to be awarded the VC outside the Australian Army Training Team, so it’s pretty significant,” Mr Phoenix said.
“We can’t not do it (memorialise Pte Norden VC), because we’ve got to be a true reflection of Vietnam.
“Now that it’s been awarded, it has to be done.”
The Victoria Cross panels (to the right) at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk on High St will need to be removed and rebuilt in order to honour Private Richard Norden VC.
Photo by
Billie Davern
With the VC panels being made of glass, they will be destroyed in their removal, which needs to occur in order to accommodate Pte Norden VC’s panel.
As a result, five new panels will need to be made up to honour each of the VC awardees.
The Seymour VVAA Mitchell sub-branch is hoping to erect the new panels in a line, opposite the Centurion Tank.
This project will cost $90,000, and while the board members are in the process of applying for grant funding, they are seeking support from the community as well.
Mr Phoenix said the list of projects for the walk would continue to expand over the years, from maintenance works to an upgrade of the stand where the current VC panels are erected, which he said he hoped to use as an homage to the war stories of the South Vietnamese.
“I don’t care how much money we will raise because there’s other projects that need to be done ... And, then we’ve got maintenance for this in the future,” Mr Phoenix said.
“It’s just one of those things, there’s always going to be something to be done.
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