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| Subject: Support for Mick Sheean and the boys | |
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Author: The POM |
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Date Posted: 12:54:33 03/31/02 Sun Dear Pommie Cornwell, I'm forwarding the email which I recently sent to Mick Sheean. It is pretty self explanatory, but once again, after checking your website I thought it might also be beneficial to contact your Association directly. I am sending this to you because unfortunately, when I clicked on the 'contact the Association' and 'Jim Gable - National Secretary' lines, I received the Outlook Express letters ok, but no addresses. I noted the "Last to Leave" article and the general tone of your webpages relating to those who were in Vietnam during that very hectic period. I wonder whether you are aware that RAAF personnel who served in Vietnam at that time are not regarded by Dept of Veterans' Affairs as being Vietnam Veterans? I know Mick did a lot of hard work to gain recognition, and Veterans Entitlements, but I believe there is still a need to push for full acceptance. I have been in contact with Brendan Lynch, the secretary of RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association in Victoria and is he fully sympathetic, but I believe he is meeting some opposition from other sections of the Vietnam Veteran community. I was hoping to gain official support from the entire Viet Vet Ass'n of Australia, but it seems it is taking longer than Brendan expected. In view of the fact that the upcoming Veterans' Review is to begin in the next month or so, I fear I am running out of time in gaining support, and although my local Member of Parliament agrees there is an anomaly, I doubt whether much can be gained from just one individual. Would your Association, or even individual members be prepared to consider the situation and perhaps offer assistance by way of a separate approach through official channels? I'm sure there will be greater chance of success if there is more than just my submission. Anyway, hope to hear from you soon and thank you very much for your time and consideration regarding this matter. Regards, Geoff Rose ----- Original Message ----- From: geoffrose To: sumoatfv@tpg.com.au Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2002 8:06 PM Subject: April 1975 G'day Mick, I found your email address on the ADG's Web page. You don't know me, and I may be assuming a bit too much, but I hope you are the bloke I'm after. I also have a newspaper clipping from the Herald Sun of 26 May, 1997, when a 'Mick Sheean' received publicity for an outstanding job in gaining Veterans' Entitlements, for Service in Vietnam during April 1975. If you it is you, I have been trying to contact you for some time, because I too, was in Vietnam during that period. I was a member of 37 Sqn, and became a part of HQ Ric Det 'S'. The reason I am contacting you now is to inform you that I am presently conducting my own campaign with DVA re the status of that Service, and to seek your possible assistance. It was drawn to my attention when I first read Introduction to The Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans, and was rather surprised, and disappointed to see that the RAAF Evacuation Personnel are specifically mentioned as not being included. I believe there is an anomaly, in that, although covered by VEA for Warlike Service in Vietnam, they are not recognised as being Vietnam Veterans. Initial contacts with DVA confirmed the situation, and I have since sent two letters to the Minister's Office. So far the responses have been the same, i.e. DVA considers the Vietnam War to have finished with signing of the Paris Peace Accord and the Agreed Cease-fire, which came into effect on 28 January 1973. Consequently, those who served in Vietnam after that period are not Vietnam Veterans - just veterans of Vietnam. I am trying to convince DVA that the war continued until unconditional surrender of the South Vietnamese Government, on 30th April 1975. You and I both know, if it wasn't a war, the RAAF wouldn't have been called out in the first place. My latest move has been to contact my local Member of Parliament, Brendan O'Connor, who has approached the Deputy Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Apparently there is soon to be a 'Veterans' Review', and I have been asked to prepare a submission. I wont go into details now, but if you are interested, or have any thoughts on the matter, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Maybe, we could compare notes, or it might even add more weight if they received more than just my submission. Anyway, if you are interested, please email, or call my home number in Melbourne (Sunbury) is 9744 4212. Unfortunately, over the years, I have lost contact with the other blokes I was with, but if you know of some others who would be interested in pushing this cause, please feel free to pass on this info. Look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Geoff Rose [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |