BEHIND the jokes and ribbing, a deeper understanding is shared by Vietnam veterans Vic Allen and Charles Kook.
When the Mitcham mates get together they are quick to display their dry sense of humour and denigrate each other, with wry smiles twitching on their faces.
Although they make light of their friendship, it has helped them deal with the demons of their past and use their life experiences to help others.
Mr Allen, 71, told his story to Leader before Remembrance Day last year to reach out to Vietnam War veterans and let them know they had not been forgotten.
Returning from Vietnam was a life-changing event for Mr Allen, who suffered the breakdown of his marriage and loss of contact with his children.
He had red paint thrown on him when he marched in his former home town of Adelaide and did not work up the courage to march again until 2002.
Mr Kook, 61, did not suffer the same persecution and isolation as Mr Allen when he returned to his former home town of Sydney.
But his service in Vietnam has still had a lasting effect on both his mental and physical health.
Mr Kook said he was lucky to have a very caring wife, Pauline, who had helped him through tough times.
“She’s a saint; if it wasn’t for her I’d have been dead a long time ago,” he said.
Mr Kook said that when he came back from the war he was busy working and raising his children and did not really feel the effects of his service until his life slowed down.
As well as suffering from stress and anger management issues, he said he had health problems from Agent Orange, which was used by the US military during the war as part of its herbicidal warfare program.
Mr Kook said he had received counselling for more than 15 years and was helped by his involvement with the Vietnam Veterans Assocation of Australia, its motorcycle club and the Box Hill RSL, which is why he encouraged Mr Allen to become involved.
With Mr Kook’s support, Mr Allen became confident enough to march again in Anzac Day parades and is now an active member of the sub-branch of the RSL.
“Vic and I just clicked and we go fishing and do a lot of volunteer work with the RSL,” Mr Kook said.
The two now also speak at the funerals of veterans, sell Anzac badges and conduct Anzac Day services in aged-care facilities and hospitals.
They both encouraged other Vietnam veterans to join the RSL and not suffer in silence.
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