I was 18 with the US Army Vietnam Veteran , I got to do some Hunter Tracker work for a couple RAR units , Awesome Guys Great Warriors , For my Aussie Brothers Welcome Home & a Hand Salute
U.S. ARMY not US Army Pay attention to detail and learn how to write it correctly It is clearly written on the uniform and the helicopter. Make sure your brain sees exactly what your eyes are looking at
I’m an Aussie and I remember this coming out in the 80’s. It’s the only song that has ever sent chills up and down my spine. It still does today some 40 years later 😢
My father was a career military man. Served in Vietnam for a year back in 1969/1970. Was badly wounded. My mother said the man that came back wasn't the same man that she married. I remember when this song was released, he couldn't listen to it all the way through, he'd leave the room if it came on the radio.
An old Vet I know got into a really bad bar fight while on Rec Leave. He and his three mates were insulted by a bunch of drunkards accusing them of things i wont repeat. The whole bar got involved and the 4 men swept the floor with them. Then the local police got involved and didnt think, they got wiped out too. It wasnt until the old Station Sergeant arrived that he bellowed for everyone to stop and freeze and got everyones attention. "Everyone Freeze before anyone else gets hurt!" "Yeah and it wont be us!" by boss answered. The Sergeant took them in on his own, the rest of his men ended up in hospital to be watched and patched up. To sum it up, the MP's came to pick them up, their own Sergeant chewed them out for reining Rec Leave for everyone else. Was secretly happy for them winning the fight and putting the Civies in their place for their unforgivable insults. Boss was forced to be checked by Psych's and was given a letter of clean health and perfectly sound mind. All these decades later he cherish's that letter and likes to show it off that he came out of Vietnam with no mental issues.
@@GitanaAdelle That was a really good song to choice Half Pint - many forget about our soldiers and veterans this time of year! Thank goodness 4 them & their sacrifice!!!🙏💙💙💙
Aussie Combat Vet This wasn’t my war but the song speaks to ALL veterans regardless of the theatre. My war will never be over & l’ll never be totally home.🇦🇺🇺🇸
@@2eREPPARA yes you do, you came home & made testimony, you are the reason it stopped & it saved many more lives. My other half was the next to be called up & missed it - so I do 'thank you' sincerely. A friend who was one of the early ones, came home suffering PTSD & chemical damage - now official records refuse to admit he was even there. His discharge papers have a couple of lines down the bottom which threatens him if he ever so much as opens his mouth about his experiences, so he never got the mental health treatment he so desperately needed. How many are like him to this day?. He was one tough bush kid & a great rifleman. God's curses on all things Kissinger & those who foment all wars. This war led to the Killing Fields in Cambodia. God damn you Kissinger!
Based on a true story & yes, it brings me to tears every time. I was there the year before. 65/66 attached to the 173D (S) 1st. Bn. Royal Australian regiment. Most of the footage is from my tour.
Thank you, from the aunt of a boy who has suffered terribly from PTSD after 2 tours of Afghanistan. He has lost brothers to PTSD and he struggled to stay alive. He is much better, he is married and has the most beautiful 18 month old daughter. He still has moments, but his life has improved dramatically. Thank you for serving our beautiful country sir ❤
It's an Aussie anthem, My dad served in the second war, and ended up with shrapnel in his back from WW2 when he spent time in New Guinea fighting. He was so conflicted when one of his sons joined the army for the Vietnam war, so proud, but so upset that he ignored, his stories about the pain that came with it after. My brother never spoke about it and was different when he came back. I would have been a shoulder for him to lean on if he needed. Any service person needs our support 1000%
After hearing the Redgum song "I Was Only 19" in another reaction few months ago, took opportunity to read up on Australia's servicemen during Vietnam and song's history - very heart moving education. Amazing lyrics and song. wonderful reaction video and much appreciation Gitana Adelle and the Aussies impacted and who served. Bless You.
I am an Australian veteran (who is inflicted with PTSD) and yes there are dark times but in between is brilliant. That is what I have to believe to keeps me going.
Keep working on it brother, but know you need to learn to live with it and nobody other than yourself and the love of your family is going to make the real differences. You need to train yourself to live with it rather than defeat it, become a student of the triggers and then train yourself to progressively react less and less. Trust me, when you train yourself to accept it first, and secondly study your own reactions and emotions, then the nightmares, the things making your hair stand on end, the irritability in crowds or with boisterous children, and your consequential inappropriate emotions and behaviors will fade. Ask yourself this, how would you feel if you lost a limb or an eye as a consequence of your deployments? Probably get over it, probably suck it up, make the adjustments and still be proud of your service to your people and country? PTSD is no different than a physical injury and is almost unavoidable too. The only difference is that surgery can't fix PTSD, only you can, and that takes personal courage. Best of luck mate.
My old man was in Korea for two years, it wasn't uncommon for him to be awake at 2am after a bad dream, it wasn't until I was 40 that he started to talk about it, I listened until he was finished, it was a few hours and covered service in china 1946 -49,home, Japanese occupation force until the Korean war started, if it was another three weeks he would have been almost back in Australia but the Australian Army, Navy and Airforce were the only force in the Area to back up the yanks and it was six weeks until they received reinforcement, I won't repeat the stories he told me, some funny, some not so, I know it's hard to relate to civilians as unless you have experienced it you don't know,but you need to talk to someone or it won't stop, my father thought I would think less of him for what he experienced but he helped me understand why he was so distant when we were young, as the yank said in the comments "thank you for your service ".
Aussie here. I never thought that some of the most bada$$ blokes, 3RAR Vietnam vets, I knew could cry - then I learned how to play and sing this song. Just one guy and his mates with a guitar round a campfire and a few empty bottles in the outback. Not everyone abused the vets when they came home. Respect, gentlemen! Bushranger, out.
My mate of my youth was L/Cpl Roger Fisher, from Mintaro Sth Australia. he served with 3RAR and sadly was KIA walking in the "green zone, on 26 April 1968, @23 yrs old and less than 2 weeks from coming home and marrying my boss's niece. Never forgotten and never will be.
Thank you for this, G. I wasn't old enough to be there, but I'm old enough to remember what they went thru when they came home. I am a Veteran, had a son that served, and now a Grandson serving. It means a lot not to be forgot.. Love y'all💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
I am an Australian and I served in the early eighties, I missed Vietnam by 7 years, all of my instructors were Vietnam vets and they pushed us big time because of their suffering. I served three overseas tours and my wife and kids are convinced that I am an alcoholic because of it. I can't help but cry whenever I hear this song... I am sorry. Lots of love from Australia.
I know exactly what you mean. and one is pushed to breaking point and beyond. Limits you never imagined you could reach. After completing 10 years in the RAF - I joined the rest of my family ( Parents and Younger siblings ) who migrated to AU Then I Joined the RAAF - and served in VN - ( And I never imagined I would be there ) My Late Father who was a US ARMY WW II Veteran would tell me stories of his MILITARY experiences. So I guess I had it coming to me - and my mothers second eldest Sister ( Russian Born) also served with the RAF towards the final years if WW II Returning from VN March 25, 1973 And 1974 -75 -1976 served on attachment with the USAF Total Military Service 30 years
As a Vietnam Vet of course I can relate. You never knew who you would see the next day and who you would not. Sad memories,,,,,,,,,,,, Thank you so much for this.💙💙💔❤🩹
I knew many Officers / OR's / and nursing Staff at the THE 1ST AUSTRALIAN FIELD HOSPITAL VUNG TAU, VIETNAM I keep in contact with some of them - Others have passed on. They were and still are - the best of the best I love them dearly. Even married my sister off to an ARMY pathologist - so she would have a well trained disciplined husband - after 50 years of marriage they are still together.
This song affects me greatly as my son served in Afghanistan and came back affected by PTSD. His wife said it took 3 years before he could sleep at night without waking up screaming. Fortunately he got help and unlike some of his mates who unfortunately took their own lives.
The number of reviewers who don't really get it is large. You got it. If this song doesn't get you, you don't get it, but Gitana, you do. I guess having a young fellow starting out, there's always the fears of what could happen. This song was an immense influence in Australia throughout my younger years. I missed conscription by 4 years, but I remember the adverts that told you if your number was going to come up. I was terrified at 14. I became a nurse, mostly in mental health, & was involved with a Vietnam support group for a while. That was illuminating. They had been, for the most part, terrified as well.
7 clicks from Seymour I know it well However learn that it is written ARMY and not Army ARMY is MILITARY Army is a non-Military group of people working for the same cause - such as The Salvation Army Also another example: AIR FORCE is MILITARY Air Force is what comes out of your Hair Dryer A lesson Law for you: All Entities that DO NOT have a Soul but have ' Legal Status ' are written in ALL CAPS - BECAUSE THEY ARE dead entities ( A Dead entity does NOT have a Soul ) Thus CORPORATE ENTITIES - CITY - TOWN - AND COUNTRY NAMES - SHIPS - PERSONS - CORPSES have names that are written in ALL CAPS. The word CORPORATION - comes from the Latin ' CORPUS ; meaning CORPSE - DEAD - BODY - It is also how we derive the term BODY CORPORATE I cannot teach you law in 5 minutes - It would take more than 5 years. However - you get the general idea now.
I am Australian and hated this song when I was younger. Its amazing what time can do. I absolutely love it now. My dad is a Vietnam vet. Growing up with someone who had been through that was not easy.
Hey there Half Pint! Hope all well over there - first time hearing this one! Very emotional just the lyrics alone - adding footage really drives it home! Too all the soldiers here at home & your great country also - thank you for your service!!! This was wonderful reaction video by you! Love ya lots Sis!!!💙💙💙
As an ex- ADF (australian army) member, who has been out for over 20 years, when i first joined, most of, if not all of my senior NCO's and officers, where Vietnaam Vets. Some of the most smartest, dedicated and knowledgable blokes i had the honour to serve under - It's crap that we have only just realised what PSTD is and how it affects/effects those who suffer from PSTD and those who live with those sufferers
My prayers are with you as you support your son as he begins his military career. My daughter is 19 and a U.S. Marine. She is my hero and she always will be. God bless you, your son, and all who serve and protect their countries and their families. They sacrifice a great deal to keep us and the world safe.
Particularly when you listen to the next line " He was going home in June" , moon landing was in July so Frankie should have already been out of there....
I appreciate your heartfelt reaction so much. My father here in Australia was a ww2 veteran and my American husband is a Vietnam vet. I loved it so much when we lived in America and there was a military person in uniform, a passer-by would usually say "Thankyou for your service" ❤❤
And My ( Late ) Father was a U.S. ARMY WW II veteran Born in KENT County MI ( Tank Driver ) was posted in the county of ESSEX UK as were many U.S. MILITARY personnel - His area of operation was in the Middle East and ITALY - ironic really as he was born to Italian Parents in Jan 1920 - who migrated to the U.S from MODENA - ITALY with a young son and daughter - another son and daughter were born in the U.S. The youngest of the four became my father - ( who married a young Russian Girl - who became my mother ) she was born on Nov 1, 1920 d. Feb 2008 ( age 88 ) I hope to live that long My father d. Friday, September 13, 1974 - age 54 - Heart failure I was posted to the USAF on attachment at the time - and was given 2 weeks compassionate leave to attend his funeral and spend some time with family.
I'm an Aussie who was born in the late 60's, I remember bits of the news at the time when war was wrapping up. And I especially remember the flood of Vietnamese refugees coming over in boats. But the point is, I grew up in the years before this song came out during the times when the vets were treated very poorly. And boy did this song have a huge impact on Australia. It did take a little while, but the attitudes of those around my age where radically altered. I the end this song did some very meaningful things for vets. Australians simply, y don't glorify war, we remember our defeats (Gallipoli etc) and commemorate them, far far far more than we celebrate our numerous victories. In fact you would hard pressed to find a lot of Aussies who can name more than Five battles that we were either pivotal or won single handed. This song and the other classic "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" are both songs that speak of sorrow and the shear futility of war. And these two songs always hits us Aussies in the feels, especially around Anzac Day and Rememberance day (FYI Anzac Day is far more important to us Aussies). On a side note if you wish to hear it, the Eric Bogle, bloke who wrote "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda", did get one fact wrong, The Anzacs weren't involved in the Suvla Bay landings. But even so, that one is also a rear tear jerker. It was written before this one when the public where still shamefully antagonistic towards Vietnam Vets. In that song he mentioned how small the Anzac crowds were getting, this song helped to change that. The manual Anzac crowds at the various services, especially those in Turkey and then France, are now truly massive. None more so than Gallipoli. And the respect shown at Gallipoli is huge too, one example, e is the total silence from the assemble crowd whenever their is a small pause between reflective peaches. The only sound to be heard is the lapping of the waves during the dawn service. And finally, don't be sorry for showing your emotions, that what this song is supposed to do. He wants to understand his pain too, and you can literally hear it in his voice as he speaks about the memory of his mate. This has to be the most sincere heartfelt anti war song ever written. Because it was written for someone he knew, a "Mate" . Your emotional reaction is to be valued for being sincere, and it's nothing to be ashamed of in the slightest, not one tiny little bit.
This is a tough one for someone with a heart as big as yours - particularly as your son is now serving. It does bring out the horrors of war and the sacrifices our veterans have made. (I am a vet myself). Thank you for the respect you have shown in reviewing this and for your respect for those who have served. There is another similar song from Australia - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. There were a number of war protest songs - Sky Pilot by the Animals is another. I wish we could all just wish we could live in peace without racism, politics, hate and religion. Thank you again dear lady.
I go every year Anzac Day to the shrine in Melbourne for dawn service with 15000 people. Then drink at Young and Jackson’s at 7am to watch the parade of the old diggers. Then go to Collingwood Essendon in the afternoon arvo. It’s my favourite day of the year and so good to spend with family and friends honouring the diggers and Anzacs
Hi Gitana Adelle 👋🙂 I'm Only at 6:59 of Your Reaction to This Video clip and I Can Already See the Struggle and Tugging On Your Heart, You Weren't Just Thinking about All of Us Ex-Servicemen and Service-Women, but Also Current Servicemen and Servicewomen, Because You Are a Service Man's Mother 🙏😔 I Will be Praying That Your Son Survives His Service to Your Country and That He Survives Well 🫡🇦🇺 Thank You for Your Support for Us Servicemen and Servicewomen, May You Find Peace in God During the Hard Times ⛪️
@@GitanaAdelle Keep Staying Strong Gitana 🫡 You're a Wonderful Mother and I Know Your Son Is Proud to Have You as His Mother and Support ❤❤ 🙏😔to You Both
There's so many terms that need explaining to those who need education in australia's armed forces culture I have a text document I usually post of every review I see of this song. If anyone wants it I can post it here. Many of the places are Australian military bases (Eg Pukapunyal, Shoalwater) and many of the equipments (SLR, Slouch Hat, Greens) are Australian military references. Townsville these days is like a 200,000 strong army camp city in northern Queensland. Just one of many of our major cities that is inextricably linked with Army, Air Force or Naval bases. Mick Storen (our hero in this story) was a volunteer and career soldier, not a draftee (unlike him "drawing the card" for the 6th division in the song). Denny (as in Denise) was his sister, and John who was the lead singer of Redgum who wrote the song was eventually his brother in law and husband of Denny. The story is a semi fictionalised (as in some, but not many, details were changed) song about Mick's experiences in Vietnam. The contents were approved by those who served, with the exclusion of the person who actually died's parents. They used Frankie's name (who actually survived) to not cause trauma every time the song was played to the parents of the fallen. All this is available on the internet to those who search. This song has been a heartbreaker to anyone of my parent's generation who potentially had to serve, to mine who just dodged it. one of my mate's fathers came back a mentally broken man from what he experienced there, and it destroyed his marriage, and probably his son's first marriage too.
It's one of the best songs describing the personal trauma of war , so many young boys from Auss the States and other countries participated virtually untrained and unprepared , can you imagine the vietnamese feeling of horror also ...!!! It was a bad war that proved nothing but pain in the end .
it was a 'contrived' war, fomented by evil to make money. Kissinger & Pol Pot got millions in gold out of it & Cambodia, where they were never meant to be, still suffers. Watch the movie "Apocalypse Now". Just pure evil.
Conscription for all young Australian men as they left high school - by lottery - my number came up but I was so lucky that I was in hospital when I had to go for my medical and so was not selected - to fight in such an unjustified war as Vietnam, or as the Vietnamese call it "The American War" - I feel so much for all the guys that were called up to serve there.
You don't know what you are talking about & you are distorting & falsifying history. There was not 'conscription for all young Australian men as they left high school'. Who told you that bullshit? Conscription for the Vietnam War was re-introduced by the Menzies Government, in 1965. It was for 20 year- olds, for a two-year stretch of service. Less than 50 per cent of 'Nashos' - conscripts - were sent to Vietnam. I know. I spent 6 years in the Australian Regular Army (1966 - 1972) & served two full tours of South Vietnam as an Infantry soldier. Next time, before you put your fingers to the keyboard, do a bit of research.
It was that secs-addict and womanizer LBJ who got AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND into the VIETNAM war. It is not widely known that the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was supporting and supplying weapons to HANOI when VIETNAM was fighting the French occupying forces.
You're in for a tough few years with a son away in wars that should never be. Too much corruption. These young men discovered it early, they never recovered. It's an unforgivable manipulation of our ethics & love for each other.
This song resonated with the veterans and the public alike when released. Proceeds from this song went to support many Vietnam veterans support clubs. 40 years on it still resonates. John Schumann who wrote and sung this song collaborated with Australian armed forces to do a Pre and Post deployment video on PTSD which he recognised later on that what the song is describing, He is more eloquent in his speech he gave to a special recording for a night for "Stand tall 4 PTSD" search for PTSD15 Special Recording "I Was Only 19" John Schumann feel free to watch this offline. It shows the strength of character of John although he does not support armed conflict he does praise our vets and those who serve for the remarkable people that they are and due all our nations support.
This was a kick on the arse for the Australian government and the civvies, back home returned serviceman were treated appallingly, this song finally woke Australia up to these men. Although I'm ex UK military many of my mates here in Aus are Vietnam veterans this is special to all Aussie veterans.
As you have just reacted to an Australian band, and I don't know if you know John Farnham an Australian icon, the best male singer on the planet, not very well known outside Australia some reactors have recently been reacting to him and all have been blown away by his talent. I recommend you react to his version of the Beetles Help with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
John Farnham is definitely not 'the best male singer on the planet'. in fact he is far from it. I am a fan of his music & have several of his CDs & DVDs, but I would not call him the best. Get real.
Hi Gitana, Redgum were a very politically active band in Australia with a number of charting songs in the 80's. Also wrote some good satirical stuff, too. From what the singer/songwriter John Schumann has said, this was a song he put together from stories of Vietnam veterans. The song was originally called "A Walk in the Light Green", which was army slang for an area likely to be heavily lined with anti-personnel mines. My Dad was a 'Nasho' as they called the conscripts (national servicemen) and he both loved and hated this song. Substitute the Agent Orange 'rash' with PTSD and this is the anthem of my generation of service men and women. Not that I would want you to have to go on another war-related emotional rollercoaster, but Eric Bogle's "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is on a par with this for the absolute tragedy of soldiers sent away to war. Very powerful song.
Sorry for so many messages but I would like to think you for the videos and taking the time to do this I'm a veteran marine recon for 20 years retired a gunny Sargent it's never easy I loved it and would do it all over again
i was born in 1960 so i luckily missed the action but we did have a couple of people go over (small town) , i distinctly remember them coming back and our little town wrapped its arms around those guys, a couple of years ago while i had a stall at a market one of my school friends came to my stall with a guy and says, do you remember this bloke? i spoke his name and he had the biggest shock on his face, and then my friend said to him, there see he does remember you, i said mate, you are a Vietnam vet of course i remember you, he played rugby league for our little town and one day while playing he broke his neck in a tackle, about a year later after his recovery he donned the jersey and boots again and ran on the field, the whole team walked off and the town got around him and said, you have done enough mate, we cant play beside you knowing you could break your neck again. that day at the market i was in my early 60's and he was in his mid to late 70's and i seen in his face what it meant to be known and respected in that light. thanks for your reaction and respect.
This stunning and moving tribute to the ANZACS was released in 1983. It is NOT NEW. But yes, it is about Vietnam. It has been a serious part of Aussie culture for FORTY YEARS. But for our serving Military and our Veterans it's more important than just 'culture' - it is LORE... M 🦘🏏😎
Fantastic song for you to listen to. Always brings a tear to my eye. And yes the song was about a young Australian soldier conscripted to a far away war
My Pa served during WW2. In Indonesia fighting the invading Japanese forces. My Pa was one of the hardest men I new. He never spoke of the war, but that never seemed strange because the topic never came up around him. It wasn't until I saw him for the last time in hospital and he had so much morphine he was reliving the war in his mindm I'll spare more details other than to say ibwas in shock. After he passed, my Nana said I could go through his things and take anything I liked for keepsakes. I found a square tin can and opened. Under a few medals I found a photo of a Japanese soldier with a whole in the forehead. I asked my Nana who it was and she told me it was a soldier he killed after he had shot his best mate dead next to him. She also said he was a kind, sweet, funny, and loving man. He😊 just didn't really show it while others were around. Emotions were a sign of weakness. Even the positive ones. New that man for over 30 years and realisedI i never really new much about himnat all.
FYI, 'franky kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon' is a referece that Franky turned down a chance to return home by signing for another tour which is why he was still there in July when the moon landing happened.
Yes, those Aussies sent to Vietnam were very inexperienced; having a basic training, before being prepared for what would affect them for years to come. PTSD has been around, through severely emotional experiences, for a long time; been known by various names over the decades, and yet still not fully understood. John Schumann wrote this song, after listening to his brother-in-law's experience in Vietnam; and unfortunately, they received a less than kind return by the public, in general. The great thing about about this song, is it woke everybody up; with help slowly recognising the effects of war, on service personnel. There is a video produced about the lasting effects of this song, on modern society; it may be difficult, but l would recommend you react to(whether privately, or on your channel) PTSD15 Special Recording "I Was Only 19" by John Schumann. Thank you for your heartfelt reaction. Although I never fought in Vietnam, I still fought my own war; at the age of 19, I was involved taking these brave young men, to war. The effect of bringing back the personal belongings of those boys who lost their lives, made me look differently at life; it has that affect on you, and allowed me to empathize with my fellow servicemen, and servicewomen.
Not quite. The regulars were among the most experienced jungle fighters in the world at the time - new guinea and Indonesia in ww2, malaya/borneo, and konfrontasi. Only the nashos - national servicemen - were inexperienced, but they were trained by the best. I know, because they trained me too.
James Blunt (who's song Monsters you reacted to a few years ago) was in the British Army and deployed in the Kosovo War in the 90s with NATO. He wrote a song "No Bravery" about his experiences during that war. The video includes his own footage he shot while over there. Sucks that it's still relevant.
Yeah. I’m a Vietnam vet: Royal Australian Navy, serving on HMAS Perth. My best mate’s brother died in Vietnam, he was a conscript. The song doesn’t say anything about how unpopular the war was, or how unpopular conscription was. On our return from Vietnam the ship’s crew was honoured by the US awarding a citation for our efforts in the conflict. As part of this, we donned full uniforms & marched down George Street in Sydney, from the town hall to Circular Quay (think Sydney harbour bridge & the Opera House). Quite a few people screamed abuse at us, and a number of them spat on us. My dad’s reaction as a WWII veteran was to tell that it, quote: “was a fucking disgrace - it’s not even a real war.” Well for me, & for many others, it was… It cost me my marriage - my wife couldn’t cope with my moods, my anger, my waking up in the night screaming. And as the song says, it never goes away, not ever. I went to uni years later & went with some uni friends to the movie of ‘The Killing Fields’. I lasted about twenty minutes or so but was shaking so much I had to go outside & throw up. I’m 74 & still suffer from dreams that have me lashing out & screaming. It never goes away & there is no cure. As to Agent Orange: I fathered 3 fabulous kids who (bless them) have gone on to be great adults & parents themselves. All three however had medical problems as infants/children, & all were midline issues. Both girls had congenitally displaced hips, and my son had problems with undescended testicles & problems with his eyes. I asked my doctor about whether that might have had something to do with the Americans spraying millions of litres of defoliant all over the place. His response was that it’s quite possible but you’d never prove it. That little bit of possible guilt is also something I’ll carry forever.
As usual, I was leaking from the opening chords. This has to be among the most powerful anti war songs ever written. Thank you for a heartfelt reaction. I wish your son well. I was just barely too young for Vietnam. A change of government had us out of the war only months before I turned 18. That was the age at which we went into the lottery: If your birthday was drawn, you were drafted, sent off to the training camps, and shipped to the jungle. Nearly every guy my age was dreading what should have been a birthday to celebrate. Even so, it wasn't until I heard this song in the 80s that I had even an inkling just how horrific it was.
The age in Australia, for conscription in the Vietnam War was 20, not 18. I know, I was in the Australian Regular Army for six years & did two tours of Vietnam, as an Infantry soldier. Do your homework before you comment next time.
@@dennismoore1134 True. In 1964 all Australian males who turned 20 years of age in 1965 had to register and a ballot was drawn based on birth dates. I turned 20 in April, 1965 and was in the first lot to be called up to be medically examined. I met a school class mate and we were the only two from our class to be medically examined (at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, NSW). Neither of us wanted to be 'called-up'. Fortunately for me I failed my medical but he didn't. He was killed in the battle of Long Tang in August 1966 aged 21. I turn 80 in April this year and I will never forget him and I feel blessed for not meeting the medical standards to be 'called-up'. My younger brother was 'called-up' and served for two years from 1968 to 1970. He did all the training and was due to go to Vietnam. Whilst in Townsville a few days before he was due to leave for Vietnam he was playing Rugby League at the camp and broke his shoulder. He was in hospital when his unit left and he never did go. He has lamented his 'bad luck' ever since for not qualifying for all the benefits but I still remind him that he might not have lived to have received them. As a side note my grandfather was killed in France in 1916 when my father was only 3 years old. My grandfather was aged 35 when he was killed and he had 6 children with the 7th on the way being born 3 months after his was killed. My father served in the RAF during WW2 and my eldest brother did his National Service (in the UK) also in the RAF. Respect to you and all service people.
I didn't realize that there were Australian soldiers in Vietnam. I had a cousin who served in Vietnam with the US Marine Corps. Also had two uncles who served in Vietnam in the US Air Force. One was a crew chief on a AC47 gunship.The other was in a Wild Weasel unit that would jam enemy radar that were targeting our planes
Poignant with deep respect. It’s always ok to release tears when the world was insane. Sending the pride of a nation to kill the youth of another nation will always be an avoidable tragedy. I worked for 20 years as a civilian alongside Australian military folks who give them very best of themselves every day. In war and especially in peace / rescue / disaster recovery. I hope that your son serves with honour and comes through fit and well.
You need to listen to. The band played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle. WW1 story you may need a few boxes of tissues its a hard listen. true horror of war. I've listened many many times always cry.
Please don't ever apologize for being upset! It just means you are human. There are only a few songs that will bring an Aussie Pub to silence and this is one of them. Eric Bogle - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (WW1) is another. Unfortunately we in Australia don't have the best track record of looking after our veterans.
Gitana, you don’t need to say sorry for being emotional, considering your son is about to join up. The song is raw and it was an important part of our history too. As you may be aware, governments around the world, including Australia, treated Vietnam veterans appallingly. This song brought it all to the forefront and within 12 months of its release they had issued an apology and gave them a welcome home parade in Sydney, about 10 years after Australians withdrew. If you want another one similar to this, give Eric Bogle’s The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. It’s about the effects of World War One and being wounded in battle. Eric is Scottish born but moved to Australia when he was 25, he’s now 80.
It’s instructive to know, that this was the reason why Men were first to get the Right to Vote, there never was any misogynistic conspiracy to deprive women.
I wish that many more women could see this and understand the true responsibilities that are required to be a man, in a world where men are now treated with such disrespect
I’m a baby boomer, born in 1960, and have always known and respected most men, my father and grandfather set the most amazing example for us 3 girls of what it means to be good men. It’s not easy.
If you are going down this track I suggest you react to "the band played Waltzing Matilda " and " Green fields of France " by Eric Bogle and "What's a few men " by Hunters and Collectors. From Mick.D
This song was the biggest hit of this band, and the royalties were donated to the vets. The iniquitous thing was that the war was all America's doing. What isn't readily known is that during WW2, the American predecessor to the CIA had promised Ho Chi Minh that if the Viet Cong helped the Allies, America would arm and train them AND back their independence from France. After the war, they ghosted them in favor of French and domestic Politics! America loves a BOOGIE MAN to hate, in this case, it was the rise of Russia and therefore "the *GODLESS* (read not their version of Christians) COMMIES". (Ergo, Socialism = Communism [sic] and anybody not white Christian was the "devil incarnate ". What followed was Senator McCarthy's Anti Communist hysterical moral purges, blacklisting people who didn't support his distorted version of his reality. Not much has changed in AMERICA, with overly simplistic Binary decisions on what is best for Corporate America and the extreme EVANGELISTIC so-called Christians and under-educated MAGA. We as a family could not see any improvement in America on the horizon, so we MIGRATED to a safer, better quality of life in Australia. Hopefully, Australia will never introduce Conscription again to fight America's self-serving wars.
This song inhabits the soul of all Australians of my generation. Brings a tear to my eye every time. Every time.
I was 18 with the US Army Vietnam Veteran , I got to do some Hunter Tracker work for a couple RAR units , Awesome Guys Great Warriors , For my Aussie Brothers Welcome Home & a Hand Salute
U.S. ARMY
not US Army
Pay attention to detail and learn how to write it correctly
It is clearly written on the uniform and the helicopter.
Make sure your brain sees exactly what your eyes are looking at
@@XRAF-633 It only seams to bother Momma's Boys MORAN'S like yiu
I’m an Aussie and I remember this coming out in the 80’s. It’s the only song that has ever sent chills up and down my spine. It still does today some 40 years later 😢
Totally! I missed conscription by 4 years, but remember the ads on TV.
My father was a career military man. Served in Vietnam for a year back in 1969/1970. Was badly wounded. My mother said the man that came back wasn't the same man that she married. I remember when this song was released, he couldn't listen to it all the way through, he'd leave the room if it came on the radio.
An old Vet I know got into a really bad bar fight while on Rec Leave.
He and his three mates were insulted by a bunch of drunkards accusing them of things i wont repeat.
The whole bar got involved and the 4 men swept the floor with them.
Then the local police got involved and didnt think, they got wiped out too. It wasnt until the old Station Sergeant arrived that he bellowed for everyone to stop and freeze and got everyones attention.
"Everyone Freeze before anyone else gets hurt!"
"Yeah and it wont be us!" by boss answered.
The Sergeant took them in on his own, the rest of his men ended up in hospital to be watched and patched up.
To sum it up, the MP's came to pick them up, their own Sergeant chewed them out for reining Rec Leave for everyone else. Was secretly happy for them winning the fight and putting the Civies in their place for their unforgivable insults.
Boss was forced to be checked by Psych's and was given a letter of clean health and perfectly sound mind.
All these decades later he cherish's that letter and likes to show it off that he came out of Vietnam with no mental issues.
@@G.H.O.S.T.254 Yeah, my father got insulted and even hit with a bottle, just for doing his duty. Civvies have no idea of what warfare is really like.
Hey guys! I didn’t end the year with a happy song 😢 I’m sooooo sorry! But I do hope you all have a wonderful new year ahead with good health ❤
@@GitanaAdelle That was a really good song to choice Half Pint - many forget about our soldiers and veterans this time of year! Thank goodness 4 them & their sacrifice!!!🙏💙💙💙
Happy New Year G.. Hope you have a great one... Be safe< Be Blessed.. Love y'all
This is going to be an awesome year for our channel
@Mark_MOORE_VFL Don't forget the matches
It was a great song loved it. Happy new year to all of you.
Aussie Combat Vet
This wasn’t my war but the song speaks to ALL veterans regardless of the theatre.
My war will never be over & l’ll never be totally home.🇦🇺🇺🇸
Thank you for your service 🙏
@
Aussie Combat Vet
Please don’t thank me
just being silly enough to run towards the gunfire doesn’t mean much,l don’t deserve anything 🇦🇺🇺🇸
I recommended this to her I spent 21 years in the Army (1989-2010) this song really speaks well to veterans experience
@@2eREPPARA yes you do, you came home & made testimony, you are the reason it stopped & it saved many more lives. My other half was the next to be called up & missed it - so I do 'thank you' sincerely. A friend who was one of the early ones, came home suffering PTSD & chemical damage - now official records refuse to admit he was even there. His discharge papers have a couple of lines down the bottom which threatens him if he ever so much as opens his mouth about his experiences, so he never got the mental health treatment he so desperately needed. How many are like him to this day?. He was one tough bush kid & a great rifleman.
God's curses on all things Kissinger & those who foment all wars. This war led to the Killing Fields in Cambodia. God damn you Kissinger!
Thank You, Id Love to Thank you Personally, But Thank you Mate
Based on a true story & yes, it brings me to tears every time. I was there the year before. 65/66 attached to the 173D (S) 1st. Bn. Royal Australian regiment. Most of the footage is from my tour.
Thank you for your service 🙏
I'd stand you a beer any day, mate.
Thank you, from the aunt of a boy who has suffered terribly from PTSD after 2 tours of Afghanistan. He has lost brothers to PTSD and he struggled to stay alive. He is much better, he is married and has the most beautiful 18 month old daughter. He still has moments, but his life has improved dramatically. Thank you for serving our beautiful country sir ❤
It's an Aussie anthem, My dad served in the second war, and ended up with shrapnel in his back from WW2 when he spent time in New Guinea fighting. He was so conflicted when one of his sons joined the army for the Vietnam war, so proud, but so upset that he ignored, his stories about the pain that came with it after. My brother never spoke about it and was different when he came back. I would have been a shoulder for him to lean on if he needed. Any service person needs our support 1000%
After hearing the Redgum song "I Was Only 19" in another reaction few months ago, took opportunity to read up on Australia's servicemen during Vietnam and song's history - very heart moving education. Amazing lyrics and song.
wonderful reaction video and much appreciation Gitana Adelle and the Aussies impacted and who served. Bless You.
I am an Australian veteran (who is inflicted with PTSD) and yes there are dark times but in between is brilliant. That is what I have to believe to keeps me going.
Thank you for your service. Stay strong. 💞
Keep working on it brother, but know you need to learn to live with it and nobody other than yourself and the love of your family is going to make the real differences. You need to train yourself to live with it rather than defeat it, become a student of the triggers and then train yourself to progressively react less and less. Trust me, when you train yourself to accept it first, and secondly study your own reactions and emotions, then the nightmares, the things making your hair stand on end, the irritability in crowds or with boisterous children, and your consequential inappropriate emotions and behaviors will fade. Ask yourself this, how would you feel if you lost a limb or an eye as a consequence of your deployments? Probably get over it, probably suck it up, make the adjustments and still be proud of your service to your people and country? PTSD is no different than a physical injury and is almost unavoidable too. The only difference is that surgery can't fix PTSD, only you can, and that takes personal courage. Best of luck mate.
@@Oldbutnotout65 why did you thank him for his service?
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 the bloke is most likely a yank, it's how they show respect to their veterans so they know they are not forgotten
My old man was in Korea for two years, it wasn't uncommon for him to be awake at 2am after a bad dream, it wasn't until I was 40 that he started to talk about it, I listened until he was finished, it was a few hours and covered service in china 1946 -49,home, Japanese occupation force until the Korean war started, if it was another three weeks he would have been almost back in Australia but the Australian Army, Navy and Airforce were the only force in the Area to back up the yanks and it was six weeks until they received reinforcement, I won't repeat the stories he told me, some funny, some not so, I know it's hard to relate to civilians as unless you have experienced it you don't know,but you need to talk to someone or it won't stop, my father thought I would think less of him for what he experienced but he helped me understand why he was so distant when we were young, as the yank said in the comments "thank you for your service ".
Aussie here. I never thought that some of the most bada$$ blokes, 3RAR Vietnam vets, I knew could cry - then I learned how to play and sing this song. Just one guy and his mates with a guitar round a campfire and a few empty bottles in the outback. Not everyone abused the vets when they came home. Respect, gentlemen! Bushranger, out.
My mate of my youth was L/Cpl Roger Fisher, from Mintaro Sth Australia. he served with 3RAR and sadly was KIA walking in the "green zone, on 26 April 1968, @23 yrs old and less than 2 weeks from coming home and marrying my boss's niece. Never forgotten and never will be.
As a vet I would like to thank you for your caring and understanding for all vets and their families. God bless
Thank you for your service 🙏
Thank you for this, G. I wasn't old enough to be there, but I'm old enough to remember what they went thru when they came home. I am a Veteran, had a son that served, and now a Grandson serving. It means a lot not to be forgot.. Love y'all💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
Aussie Anthem. Love your work! I think all kids should hear this, and "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda", and Sabaton's cover of 1916
I was looking for my brother Micheal in the footage. I wish I Could speak to him one more time.
@@patrickv391 😥 oh my lord
I am an Australian and I served in the early eighties, I missed Vietnam by 7 years, all of my instructors were Vietnam vets and they pushed us big time because of their suffering. I served three overseas tours and my wife and kids are convinced that I am an alcoholic because of it. I can't help but cry whenever I hear this song... I am sorry. Lots of love from Australia.
I know exactly what you mean.
and one is pushed to breaking point and beyond.
Limits you never imagined you could reach.
After completing 10 years in the RAF - I joined the rest of my
family ( Parents and Younger siblings ) who migrated to AU
Then I Joined the RAAF - and served in VN -
( And I never imagined I would be there )
My Late Father who was a US ARMY WW II Veteran
would tell me stories of his MILITARY experiences.
So I guess I had it coming to me - and my mothers second eldest
Sister ( Russian Born) also served with the RAF towards the final
years if WW II
Returning from VN March 25, 1973
And 1974 -75 -1976 served on attachment with the USAF
Total Military Service 30 years
As a Vietnam Vet of course I can relate. You never knew who you would see the next day and who you would not. Sad memories,,,,,,,,,,,, Thank you so much for this.💙💙💔❤🩹
I knew many Officers / OR's / and nursing Staff at the
THE 1ST AUSTRALIAN FIELD HOSPITAL VUNG TAU, VIETNAM
I keep in contact with some of them - Others have passed on.
They were and still are - the best of the best
I love them dearly.
Even married my sister off to an ARMY pathologist - so she would have
a well trained disciplined husband - after 50 years of marriage they are
still together.
@@XRAF-633 Yeah Even 60 years later I can remember it like it was yesterday. I can picture my bunkmates😔 too.
This song affects me greatly as my son served in Afghanistan and came back affected by PTSD. His wife said it took 3 years before he could sleep at night without waking up screaming. Fortunately he got help and unlike some of his mates who unfortunately took their own lives.
I'm a 58yo Australian who has been listening to this song since it was released and it still affects me the same as it did you.
55 here brother. Likewise.
The number of reviewers who don't really get it is large. You got it. If this song doesn't get you, you don't get it, but Gitana, you do. I guess having a young fellow starting out, there's always the fears of what could happen. This song was an immense influence in Australia throughout my younger years. I missed conscription by 4 years, but I remember the adverts that told you if your number was going to come up. I was terrified at 14. I became a nurse, mostly in mental health, & was involved with a Vietnam support group for a while. That was illuminating. They had been, for the most part, terrified as well.
Just drove past Puckapunyal yesterday- the army training base out from Melbourne.
7 clicks from Seymour
I know it well
However learn that it is written ARMY and not Army
ARMY is MILITARY
Army is a non-Military group of people working for the same cause -
such as The Salvation Army
Also another example:
AIR FORCE is MILITARY
Air Force is what comes out of your Hair Dryer
A lesson Law for you:
All Entities that DO NOT have a Soul but have ' Legal Status '
are written in ALL CAPS - BECAUSE THEY ARE dead entities
( A Dead entity does NOT have a Soul )
Thus CORPORATE ENTITIES - CITY - TOWN - AND COUNTRY NAMES -
SHIPS - PERSONS - CORPSES have names that are written in ALL CAPS.
The word CORPORATION - comes from the Latin ' CORPUS ;
meaning CORPSE - DEAD - BODY -
It is also how we derive the term BODY CORPORATE
I cannot teach you law in 5 minutes - It would take more than 5 years.
However - you get the general idea now.
I haven't heard this one i have heard of it such an emotional song great reaction G ♥️
I am Australian and hated this song when I was younger. Its amazing what time can do. I absolutely love it now. My dad is a Vietnam vet. Growing up with someone who had been through that was not easy.
Hey there Half Pint! Hope all well over there - first time hearing this one! Very emotional just the lyrics alone - adding footage really drives it home! Too all the soldiers here at home & your great country also - thank you for your service!!! This was wonderful reaction video by you! Love ya lots Sis!!!💙💙💙
As an ex- ADF (australian army) member, who has been out for over 20 years, when i first joined, most of, if not all of my senior NCO's and officers, where Vietnaam Vets. Some of the most smartest, dedicated and knowledgable blokes i had the honour to serve under - It's crap that we have only just realised what PSTD is and how it affects/effects those who suffer from
PSTD and those who live with those sufferers
With you on that one bro. Was in 8/12 in the late 80s and there were so many Vietnam vets.
My prayers are with you as you support your son as he begins his military career. My daughter is 19 and a U.S. Marine. She is my hero and she always will be. God bless you, your son, and all who serve and protect their countries and their families. They sacrifice a great deal to keep us and the world safe.
"And Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon" always tears my heart apart 💔💔💔
Particularly when you listen to the next line " He was going home in June" , moon landing was in July so Frankie should have already been out of there....
@@brookfredericks1984Very few people pickup on that line. Breaks me each time I hear it.
I appreciate your heartfelt reaction so much. My father here in Australia was a ww2 veteran and my American husband is a Vietnam vet. I loved it so much when we lived in America and there was a military person in uniform, a passer-by would usually say "Thankyou for your service" ❤❤
And My ( Late ) Father was a U.S. ARMY WW II veteran
Born in KENT County MI
( Tank Driver ) was posted in the county of ESSEX UK
as were many U.S. MILITARY personnel -
His area of operation was in the Middle East and ITALY -
ironic really as he was born to Italian Parents in Jan 1920 -
who migrated to the U.S from MODENA - ITALY with a young
son and daughter - another son and daughter were born in the U.S.
The youngest of the four became my father -
( who married a young Russian Girl - who became my mother )
she was born on Nov 1, 1920 d. Feb 2008 ( age 88 )
I hope to live that long
My father d. Friday, September 13, 1974 - age 54 - Heart failure
I was posted to the USAF on attachment at the time -
and was given 2 weeks compassionate leave to attend his funeral
and spend some time with family.
Great to see you again!
Glad to see you back.
Hi, im aussie. It's good to see what us Australians have contributed to some of the worlds problems, bless your heart, sweetheart 🇦🇺
I'm an Aussie who was born in the late 60's, I remember bits of the news at the time when war was wrapping up. And I especially remember the flood of Vietnamese refugees coming over in boats. But the point is, I grew up in the years before this song came out during the times when the vets were treated very poorly.
And boy did this song have a huge impact on Australia. It did take a little while, but the attitudes of those around my age where radically altered.
I the end this song did some very meaningful things for vets.
Australians simply, y don't glorify war, we remember our defeats (Gallipoli etc) and commemorate them, far far far more than we celebrate our numerous victories. In fact you would hard pressed to find a lot of Aussies who can name more than Five battles that we were either pivotal or won single handed.
This song and the other classic "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" are both songs that speak of sorrow and the shear futility of war.
And these two songs always hits us Aussies in the feels, especially around Anzac Day and Rememberance day (FYI Anzac Day is far more important to us Aussies).
On a side note if you wish to hear it, the Eric Bogle, bloke who wrote "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda", did get one fact wrong, The Anzacs weren't involved in the Suvla Bay landings.
But even so, that one is also a rear tear jerker. It was written before this one when the public where still shamefully antagonistic towards Vietnam Vets. In that song he mentioned how small the Anzac crowds were getting, this song helped to change that.
The manual Anzac crowds at the various services, especially those in Turkey and then France, are now truly massive. None more so than Gallipoli.
And the respect shown at Gallipoli is huge too, one example, e is the total silence from the assemble crowd whenever their is a small pause between reflective peaches. The only sound to be heard is the lapping of the waves during the dawn service.
And finally, don't be sorry for showing your emotions, that what this song is supposed to do. He wants to understand his pain too, and you can literally hear it in his voice as he speaks about the memory of his mate. This has to be the most sincere heartfelt anti war song ever written. Because it was written for someone he knew, a "Mate" .
Your emotional reaction is to be valued for being sincere, and it's nothing to be ashamed of in the slightest, not one tiny little bit.
This is a tough one for someone with a heart as big as yours - particularly as your son is now serving. It does bring out the horrors of war and the sacrifices our veterans have made. (I am a vet myself). Thank you for the respect you have shown in reviewing this and for your respect for those who have served. There is another similar song from Australia - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. There were a number of war protest songs - Sky Pilot by the Animals is another. I wish we could all just wish we could live in peace without racism, politics, hate and religion. Thank you again dear lady.
I'm an Aussie and everytime a reaction come up to this, I watch it... usually with the edge taken off.
one sad song to hear it makes me cry
02:28 PUCKAPUNYAL
PUCKAPUNYAL [Victoria] - I know it well
7 clicks from Seymour - VICTORIA
YPKL Puckapunyal (Military) Airport
Latitude : 00-00-2220-000S (-37)
Longitude : 145-03-46.8127E (145.063004)
Elevation : 168 feet MSL (51 m MSL)
Runway 1 : 2042m 6,700ft
Runway 2 : 467m 1,532ft
Thank you for posting this !!
There aren't many Australians that haven't heard this. Still hits every time.
I go every year Anzac Day to the shrine in Melbourne for dawn service with 15000 people. Then drink at Young and Jackson’s at 7am to watch the parade of the old diggers. Then go to Collingwood Essendon in the afternoon arvo. It’s my favourite day of the year and so good to spend with family and friends honouring the diggers and Anzacs
Thank you! (Aussie Vet)
I'm 51 and still this song gets me every time.
Great song, great lyrics , but really what makes it hit home is the video clip.
Hi Gitana Adelle 👋🙂 I'm Only at 6:59 of Your Reaction to This Video clip and I Can Already See the Struggle and Tugging On Your Heart, You Weren't Just Thinking about All of Us Ex-Servicemen and Service-Women, but Also Current Servicemen and Servicewomen, Because You Are a Service Man's Mother 🙏😔 I Will be Praying That Your Son Survives His Service to Your Country and That He Survives Well 🫡🇦🇺 Thank You for Your Support for Us Servicemen and Servicewomen, May You Find Peace in God During the Hard Times ⛪️
@@B.Wayne1939 thank you so so much! It did get me. Your prayers are much welcome and appreciated. Thank you 🫶🏼
@@GitanaAdelle Keep Staying Strong Gitana 🫡 You're a Wonderful Mother and I Know Your Son Is Proud to Have You as His Mother and Support ❤❤ 🙏😔to You Both
There's so many terms that need explaining to those who need education in australia's armed forces culture I have a text document I usually post of every review I see of this song. If anyone wants it I can post it here. Many of the places are Australian military bases (Eg Pukapunyal, Shoalwater) and many of the equipments (SLR, Slouch Hat, Greens) are Australian military references. Townsville these days is like a 200,000 strong army camp city in northern Queensland. Just one of many of our major cities that is inextricably linked with Army, Air Force or Naval bases.
Mick Storen (our hero in this story) was a volunteer and career soldier, not a draftee (unlike him "drawing the card" for the 6th division in the song). Denny (as in Denise) was his sister, and John who was the lead singer of Redgum who wrote the song was eventually his brother in law and husband of Denny. The story is a semi fictionalised (as in some, but not many, details were changed) song about Mick's experiences in Vietnam. The contents were approved by those who served, with the exclusion of the person who actually died's parents. They used Frankie's name (who actually survived) to not cause trauma every time the song was played to the parents of the fallen.
All this is available on the internet to those who search.
This song has been a heartbreaker to anyone of my parent's generation who potentially had to serve, to mine who just dodged it. one of my mate's fathers came back a mentally broken man from what he experienced there, and it destroyed his marriage, and probably his son's first marriage too.
Good evening young lady hope you have a amazing new year love the videos
Havent heard this one for a very long time. Good job!!!
I'm so lo glad you're back! I don't know if you've ever heard of Shinedown but they have a beautiful song called Daylight.
That's a new one to me. I love it and your reaction
Love your Courage. ❤ 🇦🇺
Glad to see you back!
Remember to hit the thumbs up on this very moving & emotional song😢 & Half Pint excellent reaction to it!!!😉👍
@@william_banta_81 thank you lovely ☺️
It's one of the best songs describing the personal trauma of war , so many young boys from Auss the States and other countries participated virtually untrained and unprepared , can you imagine the vietnamese feeling of horror also ...!!! It was a bad war that proved nothing but pain in the end .
it was a 'contrived' war, fomented by evil to make money. Kissinger & Pol Pot got millions in gold out of it & Cambodia, where they were never meant to be, still suffers. Watch the movie "Apocalypse Now". Just pure evil.
Conscription for all young Australian men as they left high school - by lottery - my number came up but I was so lucky that I was in hospital when I had to go for my medical and so was not selected - to fight in such an unjustified war as Vietnam, or as the Vietnamese call it "The American War" - I feel so much for all the guys that were called up to serve there.
You don't know what you are talking about & you are distorting & falsifying history. There was not 'conscription for all young Australian men as they left high school'. Who told you that bullshit? Conscription for the Vietnam War was re-introduced by the Menzies Government, in 1965. It was for 20 year- olds, for a two-year stretch of service. Less than 50 per cent of 'Nashos' - conscripts - were sent to Vietnam. I know. I spent 6 years in the Australian Regular Army (1966 - 1972) & served two full tours of South Vietnam as an Infantry soldier. Next time, before you put your fingers to the keyboard, do a bit of research.
It was that secs-addict and womanizer LBJ who got
AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND into the VIETNAM war.
It is not widely known that the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
was supporting and supplying weapons to HANOI when
VIETNAM was fighting the French occupying forces.
You're in for a tough few years with a son away in wars that should never be. Too much corruption. These young men discovered it early, they never recovered. It's an unforgivable manipulation of our ethics & love for each other.
"Kids are getting older."
It sure beats the alternative...
God bless all those who serve and sacrifice for their country. They are a special breed.
@@jwichman9 Agree!!!💯 👍
@@jwichman9 yes indeed!
This song resonated with the veterans and the public alike when released. Proceeds from this song went to support many Vietnam veterans support clubs. 40 years on it still resonates. John Schumann who wrote and sung this song collaborated with Australian armed forces to do a Pre and Post deployment video on PTSD which he recognised later on that what the song is describing, He is more eloquent in his speech he gave to a special recording for a night for "Stand tall 4 PTSD" search for PTSD15 Special Recording "I Was Only 19" John Schumann feel free to watch this offline. It shows the strength of character of John although he does not support armed conflict he does praise our vets and those who serve for the remarkable people that they are and due all our nations support.
This was a kick on the arse for the Australian government and the civvies, back home returned serviceman were treated appallingly, this song finally woke Australia up to these men.
Although I'm ex UK military many of my mates here in Aus are Vietnam veterans this is special to all Aussie veterans.
As you have just reacted to an Australian band, and I don't know if you know John Farnham an Australian icon, the best male singer on the planet, not very well known outside Australia some reactors have recently been reacting to him and all have been blown away by his talent. I recommend you react to his version of the Beetles Help with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
John Farnham is definitely not 'the best male singer on the planet'. in fact he is far from it. I am a fan of his music & have several of his CDs & DVDs, but I would not call him the best. Get real.
Hi Gitana, Redgum were a very politically active band in Australia with a number of charting songs in the 80's. Also wrote some good satirical stuff, too. From what the singer/songwriter John Schumann has said, this was a song he put together from stories of Vietnam veterans. The song was originally called "A Walk in the Light Green", which was army slang for an area likely to be heavily lined with anti-personnel mines.
My Dad was a 'Nasho' as they called the conscripts (national servicemen) and he both loved and hated this song. Substitute the Agent Orange 'rash' with PTSD and this is the anthem of my generation of service men and women.
Not that I would want you to have to go on another war-related emotional rollercoaster, but Eric Bogle's "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is on a par with this for the absolute tragedy of soldiers sent away to war. Very powerful song.
Sorry for so many messages but I would like to think you for the videos and taking the time to do this I'm a veteran marine recon for 20 years retired a gunny Sargent it's never easy I loved it and would do it all over again
@@gregorysmith1107 don’t apologise! Thank you for everything you do and happy new year
Glad to see you posting again! Happy New Years to you and your fam. When y'all moving to the States for good?
I was only 19 colab by Aussie group 'The Herd'.
Vietnam, the true story, movie, DANGER CLOSE, an Australian story
I hope you are back 🎉
@@louijames567 I am with all kinds of content to follow like travel and camping too
i was born in 1960 so i luckily missed the action but we did have a couple of people go over (small town) , i distinctly remember them coming back and our little town wrapped its arms around those guys, a couple of years ago while i had a stall at a market one of my school friends came to my stall with a guy and says, do you remember this bloke? i spoke his name and he had the biggest shock on his face, and then my friend said to him, there see he does remember you, i said mate, you are a Vietnam vet of course i remember you, he played rugby league for our little town and one day while playing he broke his neck in a tackle, about a year later after his recovery he donned the jersey and boots again and ran on the field, the whole team walked off and the town got around him and said, you have done enough mate, we cant play beside you knowing you could break your neck again.
that day at the market i was in my early 60's and he was in his mid to late 70's and i seen in his face what it meant to be known and respected in that light.
thanks for your reaction and respect.
This stunning and moving tribute to the ANZACS was released in 1983. It is NOT NEW. But yes, it is about Vietnam.
It has been a serious part of Aussie culture for FORTY YEARS. But for our serving Military and our Veterans it's more important than just 'culture' - it is LORE...
M 🦘🏏😎
Fantastic song for you to listen to. Always brings a tear to my eye. And yes the song was about a young Australian soldier conscripted to a far away war
Listen to the song & do a bit of homework. He was not conscripted, he was a Regular soldier.
My Pa served during WW2. In Indonesia fighting the invading Japanese forces. My Pa was one of the hardest men I new. He never spoke of the war, but that never seemed strange because the topic never came up around him. It wasn't until I saw him for the last time in hospital and he had so much morphine he was reliving the war in his mindm I'll spare more details other than to say ibwas in shock. After he passed, my Nana said I could go through his things and take anything I liked for keepsakes. I found a square tin can and opened. Under a few medals I found a photo of a Japanese soldier with a whole in the forehead. I asked my Nana who it was and she told me it was a soldier he killed after he had shot his best mate dead next to him. She also said he was a kind, sweet, funny, and loving man. He😊 just didn't really show it while others were around. Emotions were a sign of weakness. Even the positive ones.
New that man for over 30
years and realisedI i never really new much about himnat all.
FYI, 'franky kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon' is a referece that Franky turned down a chance to return home by signing for another tour which is why he was still there in July when the moon landing happened.
Yes, those Aussies sent to Vietnam were very inexperienced; having a basic training, before being prepared for what would affect them for years to come. PTSD has been around, through severely emotional experiences, for a long time; been known by various names over the decades, and yet still not fully understood. John Schumann wrote this song, after listening to his brother-in-law's experience in Vietnam; and unfortunately, they received a less than kind return by the public, in general. The great thing about about this song, is it woke everybody up; with help slowly recognising the effects of war, on service personnel. There is a video produced about the lasting effects of this song, on modern society; it may be difficult, but l would recommend you react to(whether privately, or on your channel) PTSD15 Special Recording "I Was Only 19" by John Schumann. Thank you for your heartfelt reaction. Although I never fought in Vietnam, I still fought my own war; at the age of 19, I was involved taking these brave young men, to war. The effect of bringing back the personal belongings of those boys who lost their lives, made me look differently at life; it has that affect on you, and allowed me to empathize with my fellow servicemen, and servicewomen.
Not quite. The regulars were among the most experienced jungle fighters in the world at the time - new guinea and Indonesia in ww2, malaya/borneo, and konfrontasi. Only the nashos - national servicemen - were inexperienced, but they were trained by the best. I know, because they trained me too.
James Blunt (who's song Monsters you reacted to a few years ago) was in the British Army and deployed in the Kosovo War in the 90s with NATO. He wrote a song "No Bravery" about his experiences during that war. The video includes his own footage he shot while over there. Sucks that it's still relevant.
This song is so poignant. It makes me tearful everytime I hear this song.
Yeah. I’m a Vietnam vet: Royal Australian Navy, serving on HMAS Perth. My best mate’s brother died in Vietnam, he was a conscript. The song doesn’t say anything about how unpopular the war was, or how unpopular conscription was. On our return from Vietnam the ship’s crew was honoured by the US awarding a citation for our efforts in the conflict. As part of this, we donned full uniforms & marched down George Street in Sydney, from the town hall to Circular Quay (think Sydney harbour bridge & the Opera House). Quite a few people screamed abuse at us, and a number of them spat on us. My dad’s reaction as a WWII veteran was to tell that it, quote: “was a fucking disgrace - it’s not even a real war.” Well for me, & for many others, it was… It cost me my marriage - my wife couldn’t cope with my moods, my anger, my waking up in the night screaming. And as the song says, it never goes away, not ever. I went to uni years later & went with some uni friends to the movie of ‘The Killing Fields’. I lasted about twenty minutes or so but was shaking so much I had to go outside & throw up. I’m 74 & still suffer from dreams that have me lashing out & screaming. It never goes away & there is no cure. As to Agent Orange: I fathered 3 fabulous kids who (bless them) have gone on to be great adults & parents themselves. All three however had medical problems as infants/children, & all were midline issues. Both girls had congenitally displaced hips, and my son had problems with undescended testicles & problems with his eyes. I asked my doctor about whether that might have had something to do with the Americans spraying millions of litres of defoliant all over the place. His response was that it’s quite possible but you’d never prove it. That little bit of possible guilt is also something I’ll carry forever.
As usual, I was leaking from the opening chords. This has to be among the most powerful anti war songs ever written. Thank you for a heartfelt reaction. I wish your son well.
I was just barely too young for Vietnam. A change of government had us out of the war only months before I turned 18. That was the age at which we went into the lottery: If your birthday was drawn, you were drafted, sent off to the training camps, and shipped to the jungle. Nearly every guy my age was dreading what should have been a birthday to celebrate.
Even so, it wasn't until I heard this song in the 80s that I had even an inkling just how horrific it was.
The age in Australia, for conscription in the Vietnam War was 20, not 18. I know, I was in the Australian Regular Army for six years & did two tours of Vietnam, as an Infantry soldier. Do your homework before you comment next time.
@@dennismoore1134 True. In 1964 all Australian males who turned 20 years of age in 1965 had to register and a ballot was drawn based on birth dates. I turned 20 in April, 1965 and was in the first lot to be called up to be medically examined. I met a school class mate and we were the only two from our class to be medically examined (at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, NSW). Neither of us wanted to be 'called-up'. Fortunately for me I failed my medical but he didn't. He was killed in the battle of Long Tang in August 1966 aged 21. I turn 80 in April this year and I will never forget him and I feel blessed for not meeting the medical standards to be 'called-up'. My younger brother was 'called-up' and served for two years from 1968 to 1970. He did all the training and was due to go to Vietnam. Whilst in Townsville a few days before he was due to leave for Vietnam he was playing Rugby League at the camp and broke his shoulder. He was in hospital when his unit left and he never did go. He has lamented his 'bad luck' ever since for not qualifying for all the benefits but I still remind him that he might not have lived to have received them. As a side note my grandfather was killed in France in 1916 when my father was only 3 years old. My grandfather was aged 35 when he was killed and he had 6 children with the 7th on the way being born 3 months after his was killed. My father served in the RAF during WW2 and my eldest brother did his National Service (in the UK) also in the RAF. Respect to you and all service people.
My birthday came up in the lottery but fortunately I failed the medical.
I didn't realize that there were Australian soldiers in Vietnam. I had a cousin who served in Vietnam with the US Marine Corps. Also had two uncles who served in Vietnam in the US Air Force. One was a crew chief on a AC47 gunship.The other was in a Wild Weasel unit that would jam enemy radar that were targeting our planes
G'day from Australia. Have a listen to the PTSD tribute version by John Schumann. He goes into some detail about the efect the song has had.
It's an interesting listen that (as sad a topic as it is)
@@jimkat2 I hope it helps you understand the impact the song has.
This is a Australian band and is sang about the Australian soldiers in Vietnam war
Poignant with deep respect. It’s always ok to release tears when the world was insane. Sending the pride of a nation to kill the youth of another nation will always be an avoidable tragedy.
I worked for 20 years as a civilian alongside Australian military folks who give them very best of themselves every day. In war and especially in peace / rescue / disaster recovery.
I hope that your son serves with honour and comes through fit and well.
You need to listen to. The band played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle. WW1 story you may need a few boxes of tissues its a hard listen. true horror of war. I've listened many many times always cry.
My father’s side of our family came from Bucklebury, Berkshire area between 1684and 1766 to East Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Nice to see you again, Young Lady....I'll keep an eye out for you. Personally, I joined because I wanted a trade.
This is history for former convicts... aka aussies ❤❤❤ im wishing the best for your son
Please don't ever apologize for being upset! It just means you are human. There are only a few songs that will bring an Aussie Pub to silence and this is one of them.
Eric Bogle - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (WW1) is another.
Unfortunately we in Australia don't have the best track record of looking after our veterans.
Very compassionate. Watch Eric bogle sing And the band played waltzing matilda
I remember the news reports always referred to them as men. The truth is that they were little more than children.😢❤
Gitana, you don’t need to say sorry for being emotional, considering your son is about to join up. The song is raw and it was an important part of our history too. As you may be aware, governments around the world, including Australia, treated Vietnam veterans appallingly. This song brought it all to the forefront and within 12 months of its release they had issued an apology and gave them a welcome home parade in Sydney, about 10 years after Australians withdrew.
If you want another one similar to this, give Eric Bogle’s The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. It’s about the effects of World War One and being wounded in battle. Eric is Scottish born but moved to Australia when he was 25, he’s now 80.
Frankie didn't die he had both his legs blown off and he sometimes went on stage with Redgum how tough was he a real warrior
It’s instructive to know, that this was the reason why Men were first to get the Right to Vote, there never was any misogynistic conspiracy to deprive women.
I wish that many more women could see this and understand the true responsibilities that are required to be a man, in a world where men are now treated with such disrespect
I’m a baby boomer, born in 1960, and have always known and respected most men, my father and grandfather set the most amazing example for us 3 girls of what it means to be good men. It’s not easy.
Yes, it is about Nam. I was fortunate enough to serve during this time but the USAF wanted me to support NATO on a Turkish AFB instead of Vietnam Nam.
The bit b4 the song starts was a true crime lol
It's been a very important song to Australians for over 4 decades. It has a similar cultural impact to songs like Fortunate Son have to the US.
You have three pillowcases behind you, that's equivalent to a box of tissues
As an Aussie and human I hope your okay
If you are going down this track I suggest you react to "the band played Waltzing Matilda " and " Green fields of France " by Eric Bogle and "What's a few men " by Hunters and Collectors. From Mick.D
My youngest son joined the military. Nuclear sub engineer.
This song was the biggest hit of this band, and the royalties were donated to the vets. The iniquitous thing was that the war was all America's doing.
What isn't readily known is that during WW2, the American predecessor to the CIA had promised Ho Chi Minh that if the Viet Cong helped the Allies, America would arm and train them AND back their independence from France. After the war, they ghosted them in favor of French and domestic Politics! America loves a BOOGIE MAN to hate, in this case, it was the rise of Russia and therefore "the *GODLESS* (read not their version of Christians) COMMIES". (Ergo, Socialism = Communism [sic] and anybody not white Christian was the "devil incarnate ". What followed was Senator McCarthy's Anti Communist hysterical moral purges, blacklisting people who didn't support his distorted version of his reality.
Not much has changed in AMERICA, with overly simplistic Binary decisions on what is best for Corporate America and the extreme EVANGELISTIC so-called Christians and under-educated MAGA. We as a family could not see any improvement in America on the horizon, so we MIGRATED to a safer, better quality of life in Australia.
Hopefully, Australia will never introduce Conscription again to fight America's self-serving wars.
I love watching your reactions you really need to hear Oliver Anthony Rich man North Richmond
You should watch the ptsd15 special recording