It was an idea that came to two best mates over a cup of coffee, and two years later, hundreds were there to see it come to fruition.<\/p>\n
In 2023, Vietnam War veteran Roger Hogben and his friend John Edwards were at a cafe leafing through the newspaper, where they saw an item about the 50th anniversary of Australia pulling out of the conflict.<\/p>\n
They began discussing how to commemorate 50 years since the war ended, and this week, the Vietnam War Memorial Walk on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula was officially opened.<\/p>\n
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More than 400 people across the country, many donning their own medals, travelled to Edithburgh for the opening. (ABC North and West: Arj Ganesan)<\/p>\n
The 3.7-kilometre-long trail connects Edithburgh and Coobowie, with information plaques about every Australian unit that served.<\/p>\n
Ex-rifleman Mr Hogben, of nearby Brentwood, said he could not wear his medals after he came home from the war \u2014 but “not out of shame”.<\/p>\n
“With the way Vietnam veterans were rejected in the early days, it wasn’t worth wearing your medals,” Mr Hogben said.<\/p>\n
“When I came home, I was told by an RSL on ANZAC Day that I shouldn’t have been there because I wasn’t involved in a ‘proper war’.<\/p>\n
“The troops that came home were, in some cases, rejected and held responsible for a war they had no choice in.”<\/p>\n
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The 3.7km walking trail stretches from Edithburgh to Coobowie. (ABC North & West: Arj Ganesan)<\/p>\n
Mr Hogben said that had since “changed dramatically, and the anger has dissipated”.<\/p>\n
The 29 laser-cut signs, including two honour boards, are made of steel and designed to be weather-resistant.<\/p>\n
All information about personnel and their role in the conflict was verified by the Vietnam Veterans Association.<\/p>\n
Asked if the signs would still be there for the 100th anniversary, Mr Hogben chuckled: “They definitely will be, but I won’t.”<\/p>\n
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John Edwards, Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson and Roger Hogben on the Vietnam War Memorial Walk at Edithburgh. (ABC North & West: Arj Ganesan)<\/p>\n
The ‘soundtrack of Vietnam’<\/p>\n
More than 400 people from across the country, many donning their own medals, descended on Edithburgh for the special Veterans’ Day event on Monday.<\/p>\n
A genuine Vietnam-era UH-1H helicopter \u2014 sometimes known as a “Huey” \u2014 flew from Shellharbour in NSW for the event, landing on the nearby golf course.<\/p>\n
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A Huey chopper lands as part of the Vietnam War Memorial Walk. (ABC News: Arj Ganesan)<\/p>\n