Submission to the Australian War Memorial

As a two tour veteran of Vietnam, 67/68 with 3RAR and 70/71 with AATTV, and a 5 tour Police Peacekeeping veteran, UNFICYP (2) - ONUMOZ - UNAMET - IPMT Solomon Islands; I have followed the proposal for some time. I have fully supported the concept and plan since I first heard of it some years ago. But when, a couple of months ago, I saw the model in the information centre I fully realised how good the design was - the new entrance is something that will be very emotive for me.

As a veteran I have visited the Admin areas of the AWM on many occasions - usually being interviewed by historians - to say their working conditions were a bit cramped would be an understatement - and more storage area is needed for documents etc. From my look at the plan this is a big step forward.

In this area I find the whole concept to be excellent - and the space that it will provide to allow the permanent telling of actions post WWII has been needed for a long time. I recall as a youngster speaking to a WWII veteran who was complaining about how they were poorly treated by the veterans of WWI; my uncle served with 3RAR in Korea and later in life he told me how the WWI and WWII community ignored him; and I vividly remember being refused entry to an RSL after marching in the ANZAC Day parade in 1969, while in uniform and wearing Vietnam medals. I said then and I have continued to live by the mantra that I will respect and support all veterans - all the stories need to be told.
The AWM is the place for the memory of all our veterans - they are part of what this nation is - to ignore it is to probably forget it - to forget it is to guarantee that it will happen again.
I know when I first visited the last upgrade of the Vietnam gallery the very strong emotional effect it had on me - and every time I have been there since, in that gallery and the miniscule peacekeeping exhibitions I have the same emotional feelings. I am glad that I have those feelings - because they are part of what makes me, me. I do not want to forget what I have been through and when I take younger members of my extended family to those exhibits then they see the emotion - it helps them understand just a little better - it is not glorifying war - it is remembering those who served.
Those who have served since WWII are no less ANZACs than those who served in the 2 world wars - their story needs to be part of the Heart of Australia that is the Australian War Memorial.

and I know that this plan includes the possibility to expand for future veterans - because there will be future veterans.