By Mikayla van Loon
For six years the Montrose community has come together in some capacity at the town’s cenotaph to honour its fallen soldiers and all service men and women from the local area.
This year the focus laid heavily on the impact nurses had during the war and the experiences of those who served in Vietnam.
Mount Evelyn RSL vice president Roger Boness addressed hundreds of people, sharing his experiences in the war, particularly the horrid conditions he and his fellow servicemen had to face.
Speaking of the jungle operations of search and destroy, Mr Boness said during the dry season it was an escape from the torturous sun but the wet season provided monsoon rains from 2pm until 10am the following day.
“This caused wet, slippery conditions underfoot and appeared to activate the jungle insects and fauna,” Mr Boness said.
“It was not unusual to find as many as 30 or so huge black blood sucking leeches attached to you at any one time. Snakes and scorpions became active, as did the spiders and ants.”
Mr Boness said other problems arose like chemical warfare, probable diseases, unsuspecting minefields and booby traps.
“Many of us lucky to return home were troubled, some with mental scars and the debilitating war injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment.
“[But] I remain thankful for the mateship, long life friendships and bonds formed in the most difficult, dangerous and fine conditions.”
Mount Evelyn’s service attracted 2000 if not 3000 people at the dawn service, returning to pre-Covid numbers, something Mr Boness said had been missing from people’s lives.
“Not everyone has had the opportunity to honour our servicemen over the last two years, whether in my generation or the younger generation, so it was special to have everyone return to remember our men and women,” he said.
Passing on the tradition of remembrance, Mr Boness said was an important part of an RSL club’s contribution to the community.
“We need to remember it as part of our history, regardless of whether we like it or not.”
Mercy Place Montrose also held a service for its residents to honour veterans living within the home and outside of it.
