OBLIGATION: Belgrave’s Louey Hesterman says the treatment he received when he arrived home from the Vietnam War was “shocking”.By SHAUN INGUANZO
BELGRAVE resident and Vietnam veteran Louey Hesterman admits the homecoming from the Vietnam War was almost as shocking as the conflict itself.
Louey’s story is of a man whose service in Vietnam during 196768 saw him unwillingly go from hometown music hero to one who was spat on, left isolated and accused of killing and rape by those strongly aligned with the antiwar movement.
With last week’s anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Australia’s bloodiest Vietnam War encounter, Mr Hesterman said there was a time several years ago where he would not have shared his experiences.
He epitomises the homecoming treatment by reciting a line from the Cold Chisel song Khe Sahn.
“There were no VDay heroes in 1973,” he says.
“There was no public support, just animosity, hostility and vehement anger.
“There was no opportunity to debrief with a counsellor, with the army, with communities, with friends and relations.”
Like many servicemen who return from war, Mr Hesterman experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
However, without proper psychological counselling, and with negative attitudes and dissent among the public, Mr Hesterman admits that a lot of emotional hurt came not only from the war, but from this treatment.
“I suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and still do. It manifests itself in some ways, I still do not sleep between midnight and 4am.
“The actual war itself was horrific but we were no heroes when we returned.
“The animosity expressed towards us was almost as shocking as being in combat.”
It is evident when looking into Mr Hesterman’s eyes that the Vietnam War remains a difficult topic to talk about, even after a 32year gap, but he admits he is getting better.
“I can now look back with a better perspective, and have been better the last couple of years since my RSL involvement.”
Mr Hesterman is one of 21 Vietnam War Veterans at the UpweyBelgrave RSL who share not only a beer, but even motorbike rides on weekends.
His mission now is to educate Australian children on the proper treatment of returned servicemen, by sharing with them how damaging the Vietnam treatment was.
“I have an obligation to help our children and school kids, to give my side of the story and share my experiences,” he said.
“We must make sure we never treat our soldiers like that again when they come home.”
