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2 mins read 18 August 2025“I was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1947 to an American father and an Australian mother. When I was four, our family moved to Sydney, and I grew up by the beach at Maroubra. From the age of five, I was surfing almost every day. Later, we moved to Turramurra on the North Shore, where life was good and full of simple joys.
In 1968, just before my 20th birthday, I was called up for National Service. One moment I was working in a Westpac bank, waiting to start university, and the next I was in the Army. During training, I made strong friendships with other young men who had also been conscripted.
By 1969, I was in Vietnam. For the first six months, I served as a rifleman with 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR), out on patrols and facing the dangers of combat. It was a tough job. After that, I was transferred to the Australian Civil Affairs Unit, where our work was very different. We built roads, put up telegraph poles, and supported villages near Nui Dat, the main Australian base. Before leaving Australia, I had studied some Vietnamese at the Air Force School of Languages. I wasn’t fluent, but it gave me a way to connect with local people, which made the experience more personal in the middle of war.
When my service ended, I returned to Sydney and went to Macquarie University, where I studied geology. From there, life moved forward. I built a career, travelled, and always carried the lessons of Vietnam with me.
Looking back, I know nobody truly wants to go to war. Wars rarely solve anything, and the scars, both personal and collective, last a lifetime. But I was one of the lucky ones. I came home. I made a life. And today, at 78, I’m grateful for the care and support I’ve found at RSL LifeCare, and for the chance to share my story. But many did not, and that’s why days like this matter. Vietnam War Veterans Day gives us a chance to honour those who served, to remember the cost of conflict, and to hold onto the peace they helped secure.”
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Ready to make a decision
but not sure where to start?
We can help.
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27 Retirement Living Villages across NSW & ACT
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29 Residential Care homes across NSW & ACT
-
22 Home Care service locations across NSW & ACT
-
9 Dedicated Veteran & Family Hubs, offering free support for veterans
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Our friendly and caring team are ready to help you make a confident decision, and live your best life!