War Heroes to Pay for Medals

[minux]

War heroes forced to shell out for medals


VIETNAM veterans have opened fire on the Federal Government for making them pay for gallantry awards. About 100 veterans have had to buy citations awarded for their bravery in the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.
Peter Jamieson, of Sydney's North Rocks, said Delta Company veterans were furious they had to pay $12 for the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry unit citation with palm - imported from the US.
The awards were offered by the South Vietnamese government in 1967 but were not accepted then by Australia.
The Federal Government approved the citations to be worn in August after an independent review by a panel of retired senior army officers.
The panel also recommended awarding a Star of Gallantry to Major Harry Smith and the Medal of Gallantry for two of his commanders.
Those decorations were free because they were Australian.
"It's taken 42 years to get these (Cross) citations and now we have to pay for them," Mr Jamieson said.
"The Government should pay for it."
Several veterans have already complained to the Government, but Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said the Government was not responsible for paying for foreign awards -just granting approval.
"It's an issue of principle and that was the correct process," he said.
The president of the 6-RAR Association, Graham Smith, said the service awards, which had been posted to veterans and families through the Long Tan Association, were a "hollow victory" for veterans.
"It would've only cost the Government $1000," he said.
Another annoyed veteran said: "Those blokes in Canberra spend that on morning tea every day."
National RSL president Bill Crews said it was a "mean-spirited approach".
The Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966, claimed the lives of 18 Australians, with another 21 wounded when 100 Diggers from the 6th Battalion's Delta Company confronted 1500 enemy troops moving to attack the Australian Task Force base.


Would just like to thank Mr KRudd for ****ing over Australians any which way possible. While I understand that it may not be you personally, it is the choice of your staff to force people to pay a ****y $12 for a bravery award.



I cannot believe this has actually happened, it is disgraceful and downright pathetic. We wonder why we are struggling to recruit soldiers etc.

[Dayvo]

Yes . Kruddy strikes again It's embarrasing and an insult to ask them to pay for their own medals .I feel like taking a grand out of the bank and paying for them myself

[badaz]

What a joke these blokes served there country proud, they were sent there by the government at the time.

What a joke!

I got my medal presented to me 2 weeks ago for my time serving in East Timor, while most arn't that fussed about it, I felt good about and had to tell my mates about it.

[burnz]

sorta make's you proud's and patriotic doesn't it.
go austrailia you can bend'em over further.

[Tom_1569]

^^ True, but its still ****ing disgusting that they can even think of such a thing..... Its hardly an award or medal if you are buying it. Its the point it is given to you because of what you did.

Its like me winning a basketball trophy, it has more meaning to me, if i went into the local trophy shop and bought one.

[minux]

Reaper exactly. This is not about the money at all, it is about the principal of it. As someone who served over seas twice on op, I would be horrified if i was expected to pay even $1 for a service medal.

[minux]

Can we have just one thread that doesnt go into LALA Land, this is NOT the VE section...ffs.

[badaz]

Well said minux.

With the amount of overtime that has been cut from all government workers they can afford to pay for these medals for Australian defence force personal.

If you haven't earned one you would not understand the meaning behind it.

[CSP]

If you haven't earned one you would not understand the meaning behind it.

I have earned two but I have much bigger concerns than worrying about $12.

I don't think anyone should have to pay for a medal though.

[Reaper]

I have earned two but I have much bigger concerns than worrying about $12.

I don't think anyone should have to pay for a medal though.

Then WTF didn't you just say that to begin with??? I wonder about you at times...

Reaper

[badaz]

I have earned two but I have much bigger concerns than worrying about $12.

I don't think anyone should have to pay for a medal though.

It wasn't a dig at you CSP.
I knew you would have one or two the same as minux would to, what I was getting at was people that haven't got any don't really understand what it like to get one.
Some of these people sit behind a desk sipping the coffee will never understand what it like to be deployed O/S and represent your country.

[Astranomical]

IMHO, the medals should just be given to them. These men have put their life on the line for their country, and for that, IMHO they are heroes and should be treated accordingly. This is just disgusting, IMHO, and exactly the sort of thing I'd expect from the Rudd govt.

[minux]

It wasn't a dig at you CSP.
I knew you would have one or two the same as minux would to, what I was getting at was people that haven't got any don't really understand what it like to get one.
Some of these people sit behind a desk sipping the coffee will never understand what it like to be deployed O/S and represent your country.

To be honest, the medals mean nothing to me. Especially the Service Medals that are handed out to EVERYONE for a days service. I had a good chuckle at someone telling me how great they were in east Timor, some 3 years after we first entered the conflict. Sorry but after 6 months Timor was a peaceful place to be on op. Annoys me a little that rear guard forces are awarded with medals so easily.

As for these Vietnam guys, they deserve more than medals, Australia really treats their ex serving members like ****.

[Rufus®]

Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin says veterans from the 1966 battle of Long Tan will not have to pay for their own gallantry medals.

Last month the Commonwealth agreed to the citation for gallantry offered about 40 years ago by the South Vietnamese government.

But veterans had to pay for their own medals because it was Federal Government policy not to pay for citations made by another government.

However this morning Mr Griffin said public concern had led the Government to rethink the veterans' case.

"We've recognised in this case that it's a special situation because there is no longer a South Vietnamese government, so that's what makes it unique," he said.

"That's why we think we can revisit the matter and take care of it."

What the ****? just because it is a special situation they can revisit it? come on, no service personnel should have to pay for any medal they are awarded by any government! simple as that.

[sixshooter]

The worlds gone mad !... It all me !!! me !!! me !!! Little respect at all is given to the older generation. What was that just recently about some council complaining about the ANZAC marches effecting traffic ? Some people are even banging on about Governments spending their hard earnt dollars on pensioners... Those very frail souls who were forced to live through the horrors of a real world war... Those who fought for this countries way of life if not directly but indirectly with support for those who did for the very living that those who are complaining about them now are able to enjoy. It's just pathetic !!! My father was in the RNFAA and served throughout ww2 in South Africa, he had a bad back the rest of his life from loading bombs and ammunition into aircraft, he'd be turning in his grave now over the things that are happening these days.

L'est We Forget !

[Nevyn]

In 1994 I was given my Grandfathers medals from WW2 because he hadn't claimed them.....they cost me nothing, and they aren't something I earned...but I'm proud as hell to have them in memory of my Grandfather. So for someone who has earned a medal, and that battle of Long Tan would have been a hell of an experience, to have to pay to receive their medal is shameful. Rudd and his penny pinchers should be totally ashamed of themselves and present the medals personally and apologize to the Veterans for putting them through this once again.....it took a long long time for the Vietnam Veterans to be recognized properly and fully.