Awardee Reflection - Owen Webster

 

Stepping into the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City after a 9-hour plane journey felt as far away from Adelaide as you can get. I felt instantly shocked and overwhelmed by the lights and people everywhere. The city felt otherworldly. 

This trip has opened my eyes to how the impact the war has had on Vietnam and shaped it both socially and politically. From the War Remnants Museum to the Cu Chi Tunnels to Halong Bay, we have had many invaluable experiences allowing us to soak in every aspect of this country. I am so fortunate to be able to hold onto these memories for a lifetime. 

One of the most impactful and emotional days during our trip was day 5. We checked out of our hotel early in Vung Tau and drove to an orphanage in Ba Ria built by the Australian Vietnam Volunteers Resource Group. We then had an opportunity to meet some of the 90 children who live in the orphanage. The orphanage cares for children without parents or children with a disability. Meeting the children was a very humbling experience, highlighting how special it is to look out for people on the other side of the world. Despite the language barrier, we were able to bring a smile to their faces. 

After lunch, we travelled further into the Ba Ria Province to the Battle of Long Tan Cross. We walked in silence down an avenue of rubber trees towards the Long Tan cross. This was a very emotional moment for me. 

Looking around taking in the different sights and smells it seemed peaceful. It was hard to imagine this was a battleground. On the trip, we presented research on an Australian soldier who died in Vietnam. 

The man I researched Colin Whiston, died during the Battle of Long Tan. I connected with his story over the course of a few months. Then I followed in his journey all the way from Vung Tau to Nui Dat and his final footsteps in Long Tan. 

Thank you to all of those who made this trip memorable and possible. Thank you to Lara, Tracey, Rebecca and Adam for leading us through this exciting chapter of my life. Thank you for all your insight and care, making us feel safe more than 5000km from home. Thank you, Aaron, for all your hard work in helping us experience the sights, smells, tastes, and history of Vietnam. Thank you, Dennis, for sharing your knowledge and insight into the Vietnam war and Australia’s war history. Thank you for taking the time to present about your medals, I will always remember the ANZAC Day service you held. 

I feel so blessed to have met and spent time with every single one of the 19 other awardees. To spend time with such a talented group of young people is something I will hold forever. Going from a group of strangers at Adelaide Airport to friends in two weeks was a whirlwind I will always hold dearly. Cảm ơn

See you all soon. 

Awardee Reflection - Emma Slattery

The 2024 Anzac Prize study of Vietnam during the April school holidays was a truly amazing experience. 

Over the past few weeks since being back home, I've been able to reflect upon the unforgettable moments and broad range of opportunities we were so fortunate to experience. Taking time to sit down and share some of these memories and photos with my family and friends, and seeing their reactions to some of the places we visited has made me forever grateful. 

I met and made many wonderful new friends on the trip, and I will appreciate all of you forever. 

I have been asked by several different people what was my favourite part of the trip - and to be honest there were too many amazing experiences that I can’t pinpoint my favourite. The vibrancy and bartering at the markets were always entertaining, the scenery and experience of the cruise was stunning, and the long bus trips were certainly unforgettable! Visiting the tunnels, memorials, and museums provided many eye-opening learning moments. Anzac Day and the ceremony at Long Tan were simply unforgettable, and of course, I can’t forget the leader of Sticky Rice, Papa Martin. 

I cannot thank everyone involved enough, the teachers and all those involved in organizing this experience, I will forever cherish this opportunity and I feel very privileged to have been part of the 2024 Anzac Prize Study tour, it is truly an amazing experience to be part of, and one that I would highly recommend to other students in the future. 

Awardee Reflection - Zoe Bennett

 

This trip to Vietnam not only provided me the opportunity to form lasting friendships, but also equipped me with entirely new perspectives. Reading stories of soldiers who walked on the very soil where we stood is a lifechanging experience that I will never forget. Having only ever considered the experiences of Australian soldiers, witnessing how Vietnam as a country commemorates their brave soldiers and has moved forward from the war provided me with a completely new perspective to consider. I will forever be grateful for the memories and insights this trip has granted me.

It is incredibly hard to pinpoint a highlight of this trip, as every day was filled with fun and important memories. One day that stood out to me was our visit to the orphanage. Seeing the young children, especially the babies and the disabled children lying in those rooms, made me feel profoundly grateful for the life I am blessed to have. The opportunity to visit these children was immensely moving and set the theme of 'gratitude' for the rest of the day very well. 

Another memorable moment for me was the Long Tan rubber plantation service, which Dennis hosted for us. It felt extremely surreal to be in the very place where the Battle of Long Tan occurred, and the emotion experienced during the service is indescribable. Once again, I felt immense gratitude during this service, both for the sacrifices made by those servicemen to serve our country and for the safe life I am able to live.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made this trip a reality. Thank you so much to Tracey, Adam, Bex, Lara, Dennis, and Aaron for this opportunity and for taking such great care of us all. I also want to extend my thanks to all my fellow awardees who made the trip so much fun. The friends and memories I made on this trip will truly be cherished forever.

Awardee Reflection - Luke Graves

 

Vietnam: There’s a Soldier who Still Marches

 

Deep in the rubber plantations of Vung Tau
There sits a clearing
It’s not big, quite small really
But it holds something special
As there’s a soldier who still marches.

His boots clash with the jungle floor
His gun, held close to his body
His head is held high, his hat tight
His guard is always up, he can’t afford to let it down
He scans the ground for openings and traps
He scans for anything that looks amiss
He scans and scans, day in, day out.

It's been like this for years.

He approaches a clearing; a road awaits him.

But something is different.

He sees a group, a group of people that remind him of something
For the first time in a long while, the soldier lets a bit of his guard down.

Precariously, he follows the group as they walk down a narrow pathway
Some hold flowers, others are just silent.

They approach a statue that sits on a marble platform.

The soldier now sits against a rubber tree
He quietly observes the group.

A man, Dennis, gets up to speak as poppies are handed out.

The words he delivers are moving and beautiful, and even brings some to tears.

As the soldier looks on, he slowly lowers his guard a little bit more.

The bugle sounds out, playing a tune all too familiar to the soldier
As Dennis falls silent, and the last post closes, not a sound can be heard
The Soldier rests his weary head
He can still hear his mates carrying on and laughing, its as bright as day
He remembers their faces, full of life, full of happiness, full of hope
There are many sounds of negativity associated with war
Gunshots, artillery, screaming, yelling, explosions, the list goes on
But for a minute, the Soldier only thinks about his mates
A bright, shining star, in a sea of darkness and despair.

Reveille plays
The Soldier rises
It’s time for him to go home.

He leaves his gun at the tree
He doesn’t need it any more
He leaves his hat at the tree
He doesn’t need it any more.

For the first time in years, the Soldier is relaxed
For the first time in years, the Soldier hears the chirping of birds
For the first time in years, the soldier can finally hear his thoughts.

“I need to go home”.

He steps out from the tree, and into the sun
The one thing that never changes
It will always shine, no matter where you are.

He embraces its warmth.

It’s been a long time since he was home.

A long time since a mother has had someone to hug
A long time since a father has had someone to help him out with a job or two
A long time since a brother or sister has had someone to just talk to.

It’s really been a long time.

The soldier relaxes, as the group lays their poppies against the memorial
He feels like a great weight has been lifted off his shoulders
He feels as if he could fly.

Fly home.

Gratitude was one of the main themes I took away from Vietnam. After travelling to such a different country, I realised that I, and I’m sure others, were more grateful for what they had in life. I felt the most grateful however during the two Anzac memorial ceremonies that were held in Vung Tau and Hanoi by our RSL veteran, Dennis. Never have I been so moved before in my life, and I’m sure the same could be said for others on the trip.

I also felt grateful when hearing the stories everyone told about the Anzac they researched before coming on the trip. The hardships they all went through and what they experienced. I truly felt grateful for what the Anzac’s put themselves through. I also felt grateful to live in a country free from such a war, where I can feel safe and protected.

Dennis, the ceremonies you held, the stories you told, were moving and beautiful. I am grateful for the experiences you provided to us on this trip, and the wealth of knowledge that you shared with us.

Adam, Lara, Tracey, Bex, and Aaron, I am grateful for the organization, and guidance you provided us with while on the trip. We’d be aimless without you.

Martin, Tony, I am grateful for inviting us into your country and culture, taking the time to explain to us the rich and intriguing history that Vietnam had to offer.

Max, Alby, Arden, Stephen, Owen, Rhys, Emma, Ella, Tori, Miriam, Megan, Matilda, Maria, Mehar, Zali, Gaby, Lilah, Isabella, and Zoe. I am grateful for your company, and being able to traverse, and explore Vietnam with you all. I really wouldn’t want any other group.

Awardee Reflection - Alby Bradshaw

 

MORE THAN JUST A TRIP

When I first stepped foot in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, I was instantly shocked by this incredible place. Little did I know that this country would just keep getting better!

 

The lessons I learnt on this trip were truly life changing. Standing where the courageous ANZAC soldiers stood in Nui Dat and Long Tan was an incredibly touching feeling, as I reflected on what it would be like to stand in the same place all those years ago.

 

Through stepping in the footsteps and learning about historic battles such as Long Tan and the diggers in the Cu Chi tunnels, I was able to really identify why the ANZAC spirit is so special. The values of Mateship, Sacrifice, Courage and Resilience came to life at a very special service at Long Tan, as-well as a heart touching ANZAC service led by our RSL representative Dennis. Learning about the story of Long Tan, and after laying a flower at the memorial I felt even more inspired to live out the ANZAC values in my life, which I see as a way of paying respect to those who were knocked down in war, living those values to the fullest.

 

The biggest lesson I learnt from this trip is to be grateful for what we have. After visiting an orphanage and seeing children living with disabilities and a very difficult lifestyle, I have never been more thankful for the life that I am lucky enough to live. I bought along a bunch of AFL footballs to give to the children at the orphanage. I knew this would be an awesome feeling but I never thought it would make me feel the way I did. As I gave one of the children named Nam his very own football, I was instantly touched by the look of pure joy and gratitude in his eyes. It meant the world to him, and although I taught him how to kick a footy, he taught me the most important lesson of being grateful for everything in my life.

 

I am incredibly grateful for my loving family and friends, my safe home and country, my bodies ability to play sport and have fun, safe food and water, and the incredible ANZACs who persevered through such challenging times to give us the life we are all so lucky to live in Australia.

 

I am very thankful for the amazing opportunity I have had to experience this trip with such amazing people. Thank you to all the other awardees for making this trip so memorable. Thank you to Aaron, Tracy, Adam, Lara, Rebecca, Martin our tour guide and Dennis our veteran for your amazing support throughout the trip, to make it such an incredible experience for us all. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to explore and learn about such amazing things with.

Awardee Reflection - Megan Allen

From the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh to the peaceful shores of Ha Long Bay, this experience was one of a lifetime.

It feels generic to say, that it is one of the best experiences of my life.

Beginning the trip in Adelaide airport - meeting people that I have seen once before- was extremely confronting. Through our time in Vietnam, I now know that these were some of the best people, I will ever have the privilege to meet. Everyone was unique, but we all shared the same special interest in history. 

This trip allowed me to see a completely different world, but also to feel safe and protected. Karaoke on the bus, playing cards, crawling through tunnels, and climbing lots and lots of stairs, all made me see the bigger picture. I began this trip with very little knowledge of Vietnam both as a war and country, but left with a whole new aspect of it. The War Remnants Museum, Nui Dat, and the Cu Chi tunnels all made me see the war in a completely different light. 

Before I left for Vietnam, Bernard Lyle Smith, was just another story. He was another person who unfortunately lost his life, fighting for his country. This was until I looked down on the bunker at Nui Dat. Just looking at the land, I would have seen nothing special, but then I realized - this man who fought so hard for his country, died not far from this very spot. Everything was real then. 

I have been extremely privileged to take part in this trip.  Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible. 

Sticky Rice, Martin Family!

Awardee Reflection - Maria LaMontagna

 

The 2024 ANZAC Spirit School Prize study tour to Vietnam is currently among my most treasured life events. 

This trip was more than just a journey across Vietnam; it was a profound learning experience packed into a short span of time. Through exploring the vibrant cities, historical sites, and engaging with the local people, I gained a deep appreciation for the rich culture and resilient spirit of Vietnam. 

Moreover, standing in the footsteps of the ANZACs at sites like Vung Tau and Long Tan, I was reminded of the immense sacrifices made by these brave individuals to secure peace for future generations. It was a humbling reminder of the importance of remembrance and the enduring legacy of those who served.

However, the visit to the children's orphanage was the part of the tour that I will never forget. For many of us, seeing the conditions in which children of all ages lived was an eye-opening experience. One of the little babies, Bing, who had been in the orphanage since he was three months old, and I really connected with each other. I had the opportunity to hold Bing when we went to the orphanage.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our amazing tour guide Martin, his insight and knowledge into his culture and country was amazing and provided us all with an abundance of knowledge, the wonderful Adam, and Tracey for their amazing love and care over the 2 weeks, from taking us to get snacks, to our evening reflection. 

Additionally, the trip was greatly supported by teachers Rebecca, and Lara, both of their outstanding attitude and supported helped all of us push ourselves to do a variety of new and challenging tasks, the brilliant RSL Dennis, full of knowledge and insights about no just war, but life as well. Without each of their support the trip would not have been possible. 

Finally, Aaron, there is not enough words to thank him. Aaron was always there for each of us awardees, supporting and ensuring we were all okay throughout the day no matter where we were. Without Aaron and his motivation for the trip, we would not have been able to experience the wonderful sites of Vietnam.

 To all my fellow awardees, I wish each and everyone of you the best of luck for the future, may you all continue being the amazing individuals that you all are. From strangers to one big Sticky Rice family, I am glad I got to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity with you all.

Awardee reflection - Rhys Heinrich

 

An Unforgettable Service

Walking off the bustling streets of Hanoi, into a quiet room of the hotel, the ANZAC Day service marked the most significant moment of the trip for me. 

Unlike any service I’ve attended before on the Yorke Peninsula, I’m in a room with what seemed like random strangers on the first day, to soon becoming family, listening to the song ‘I was only 19’. It was through this song that I was able to really reflect on the trip so far as a whole, what you’ve seen, what you’ve experienced, but most importantly, to commemorate and appreciate the sacrifices of our fellow Australian servicemen and women, not just in Vietnam, but throughout any war we were and still are involved in. Even after the ceremony, as we were talking, we could all agree upon one thing. 

That this small ceremony has easily been the most impactful and heartfelt ANZAC Day ceremony we have attended, and one that will stay with us for a long time to come.

I’m grateful for this entire experience, the places we’ve been, the people that I’ve met. Living on a farm and attending a small country town with around six classmates, I was quite excited to meet 19 other amazing people from around SA. 

This reality came true as soon as we had arrived in Ho Chi Minh City when we finally got down and relaxed together. 

A huge thank you to Aaron, Tracey, Adam, Lara, and Rebecca. The work that has gone into such a smooth sailing trip has been tremendous, for us as the students to enjoy and take in every detail of Vietnam has been amazing. 

Another huge thanks to Dennis, our RSL member. The time that has gone into every event on the trip has been astonishing, from the memorable solider presentation to the sharing of your war badges. 

From past years, I’ve heard people say, ”talk to your RSL member, the knowledge that they share from their experiences is outstanding,” and this is exactly what I have found.

Awardee Reflection, Arden Kranz.

 A baby is expected. A trip is expected. News is expected. Forgetfulness is expected. An invitation is expected… But memories are not expected. They just come.

Giannina Braschi

In regards to the ANZAC Spirit prize, I believe there is nothing I can truly say to encompass the entirety of this experience. The feelings and gratitude I have felt are something that I simply cannot put into words. 

This experience has opened my eyes to the brutality and destruction of war, the countless lives lost, lives as bright and vibrant as mine, lives lost too soon. I look at all of the names on memorials and I see countless sons, daughters, fathers, brothers, cousins, sisters, and friends who died, I imagine the grief of their mothers, fathers and anyone who cared about them because I know mine is immense. 

But from the merciless seed of war, may hope blossom, the hope I have now, that an event like the Vietnam War will not occur to any country, the hope we can learn from history, the hope for a bright future void of war, the hope that life will flourish and continue to flourish until it can no longer. The service at Long Tan was an experience like no other, you could almost see the ANZAC soldiers of D company waiting there for 3 hours. 3 long hours. Hours of being fired at, hours braving the storm of bullets from the Viet Cong. It is in times like this that I am most grateful to those who have served my country, so I can live a good life, a pure life, an educated life and a life void of war. 

Now that the trip is over I have had a lot of time to reflect on the great places and people I have been able to spend 14 incredible days getting to know. I look upon my memories I have made in Vietnam with a certain fondness that many things don’t fall under, these 14 days have made me appreciate every single person, including those on this trip, and I would like to express my gratitude to Aaron, Adam, Lara, Rebecca, Dennis and Tracey for making one of the most memorable trips of my life possible. I would like to thank Dennis in more depth for his insights, of which I cannot find the descriptive word to express my gratitude for, said insights, all of which bring life and depth to these stories and bring knowledge and heart into every situation, I would also like to thank Dennis for his service at Long Tan, a service that moved me and explained to me what it means to pay respect to ANZAC soldiers.  

To my fellow Awardees if you happen to be reading this, I would like to express my gratitude towards Stephen, Lilah, Gabrielle, Emma, Mehar,
Miriam, Zali, Rhys, Tori, Alby, Max, Isabella, Megan, Luke, Zoe, Ella, Owen, Matilda and Maria, I cannot put into words what all of you guys mean to me as an individual, you have helped me grow and in turn helped me become who I am today. I believe I am a better person from the kindness you have expressed to me and each other. I genuinely wish the best for you and your families which I believe also possess the same amount of kindness if not more than what I've seen throughout this trip. I appreciate you all with all of the fondness I have, and I truly believe that in time every one of you will accomplish and fulfil your dreams, Whether it be a famous actor, a politician, a doctor, a historian, a farmer or anything in between.

Despite how I feel, like many other things in a human's life, the tour in Vietnam is over. And with this final message, this part of my life will have ended in its entirety. It is times like these that I find life the most beautiful yet confusing, how it keeps moving but I as an individual may stand still, reminiscing in the past, whilst the present passes me by. I find myself stuck in memories for brief periods, but as time marches on so do I. For my memories are not who I am, they are what make me who I am. And as the sun rises so do I, I rise to a hopeful future, I rise to a peaceful future and I rise to a future void of hate, bigotry and war. That day may not be today but I am hopeful that with the care and kindness I have seen on this trip, one day, I may rise to a world in which peace is inalienable. 

Despite everything, the sun will still set on the seas of Ha Long Bay and the busy streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City it will still set in the heart of Adelaide, it will still set in the trenches of France and Germany and it will still set in the rainforests of South America and the Sahara Desert. As this world marches on I will still have the memories I have made, I look back upon them, the times I have laughed, the times I learned, and the times I was speechless. I look back on every memory of this trip and I smile, and the memories smile back at me.

Awardee Reflection - Tori Lockwood

 

Farewell, my friends, we've had our fun,

Our trip together, now it's done.

We've laughed and loved, we've danced and played,

These memories, forever made.

 

We explored new lands, and seas so blue,

And tasted flavors, both old and new.

We've seen the sights, we've lived the dream,

Our journey's end, a bittersweet scheme.

 

My new family you've all become,

These bonds we've shared can't be undone

We've lived a life, we've lived a dream,

We've had our fun as one big team.

 

The sun sets on our journey's end,

And as we part, our hearts will blend.

Into the memories we've made, so dear,

And though we'll be far, our bonds will keep us near.

 

So let us cherish every moment we shared,

And hold them close, in our hearts unsaid.

For though we part, our friendship will last,

But these bonds will not be left in the past.

Awardee Reflection - Zali Kerley

 

Gratitude

Day 5 (19/4/24) … A day to remember!

We woke up bright and early to board the bus by 8am for what I found to be one of the most moving and memorable days of the trip

Today, we established the theme of the day to be gratitude. There were a few ill bodies due to the busy previous few days and the new cuisine, but we all kept a positive mindset and continued to embrace every moment of the trip.

Our first stop of the day was the orphanage, where our theme of the day was enlightened. Upon arrival the owner/coordinator of the orphanage for the last 20 years greeted us. Everybody placed their gifts on the table, which quickly became covered in pencils, chalk, puzzles, teddies, and footballs. Others presented the owner with their money donations. We took some footballs and gifts to give directly to the kids. Their smiles and giggles surrounded us as they learnt to kick the football and played with their new teddys. Seeing how grateful the children were to just have a football made me realise how lucky I am to have the resources I do to learn and play the sports that I love.

Next, we went upstairs to see the babies. In a humid room, cooled only by 2 small fans, laid the babies in their metal cots. The older boys across the corridor sat on their thin mats and metal beds, unaware of what was going on as some of them were blind and deaf and suffered from other disabilities. Due to their disabilities, those boys never got the opportunity to attend school nor get an education, which made me particularly more grateful for the education I receive.

We said goodbye to the kids and headed off to the old folks’ home, making a stop to collect milk as a donation. The residents’ fragile bodies slept on metal beds in hot, humid rooms with only a small fan to cool them, but they still had a resilient smile on their faces. It filled me with happiness to see them smile as they held our hands and looked into our eyes.

The last stop before our long bus ride to Ho Chi Minh was Long Tan. We walked silently down the footpath, taking in the unique sounds, smells and sights surrounding as we approached the white cross. The rubber plantation caught my eye. I find it hard to comprehend there were battles fought in rubber plantations. You can see hundreds of metres through the rubber trees and there is nowhere to hide. We gathered in front of the cross as Dennis lead us through a moving service. We had the chance to lay a poppy and a flower at the base of the white cross. We said the name of our soldier out loud to remember and commemorate the sacrifice each of them made for our country. We were all extremely grateful to have Dennis on the trip to share his wealth of knowledge and experiences.

As our theme of the day was gratitude, I took the time during the bus trip to reflect on what I am grateful for. After my experiences that day there were so many things, I became more grateful for. I am grateful for my home, where I have access to a comfortable bed, air-conditioning, a washing machine, and dryer. I am grateful to feel safe enough in my hometown to walk down the street to get snacks from the local supermarket. I am grateful to have access to an endless supply of fresh and safe water to drink.

Finally, but certainly not least, I am grateful to get education. An education, and teacher support so great to lead me to an experience of a lifetime. An experience where I was surrounded by people with the same passion of history, and that history surrounding us all. I am grateful for the amazing peers I had on the trip. I now have many talented and unique friends for a lifetime. I am grateful for the staff on the trip. Aaron clearly did an amazing job of planning before and during the trip for it to be as successful as it was. Lara, Bex and Tracey always gave us a laugh, whether it was because they were cracking a joke or just because of their contagious giggles. Adams, Dennis, and Aaron made us all feel safe and I loved the chats I had with each of them. I always felt safe to approach each of you if I had an issue or just wanted a chat.

I can’t wait to see everyone soon!!

 

Awardee reflection - Miriam Lockwood

Our trip to Vietnam was the fastest two weeks of my life! In those two weeks, I learnt, experienced, and pushed myself more than I have ever in my life.

I met some of my best friends who, by the end, were my family.

From Ho-chi Ming city to Ha Long Bay, behind every corner and along every market, new memories and experiences were waiting to be discovered. 

I went to Vietnam expecting to learn some stuff, make some friends, and have a good time, but little did I know how low my expectations were compared to the amazing experiences that awaited me in Vietnam.

I will be forever grateful for Aaron, Tracey, Adam and the team of organisers, which made the trip possible. For Bex and Lara, who inspired our love of learning and curiosity.  For Dennis who was always ready to answer our big questions about war. And of course Martin who led us through his beautiful country and taught us how to fully embrace his culture as much a possible. 
I am also very grateful for all my wonderful peers, the 19 of you all made the trip so much better and taught me so much. By the end of the trip you all felt like siblings to me. When we first arrived at the Adelaide airport and stood in that circle with our parents I would have never imagined how close we would all be by the end of the trip!

Awardee reflection - Mehar Bains

Love in the face of fear and violence

It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact ‘favourite moment’ in the trip to Vietnam. Still, one of the most remarkable memories and sentiments I have of this wonderful country is about the resilience of the people to come back from violence, hate, and war; instead choosing compassion and peace.

This was particularly true when we visited the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing the cruel and devastating timeline and impact of the Vietnam War on the country and its people. As I walked in, the first sections of the museum detailed the atrocities of the war, from children fleeing areas in Vietnam to Agent Orange being used as a mass weapon. The images were confronting and emotionally moving to see, and there were more than a few times when I had to recompose myself before continuing.

Near the end of the museum was a section focusing on the Agent Orange attacks, and the lives of those affected with disabilities due to the gas. I was fighting off tears as I felt the fear and violence witnessed by and impacting millions of innocent lives in the war, but the end of the section is what still sticks with me now; the end featured rows of photographs and comments about the remarkable feats achieved by those with disabilities due to Agent Orange, and the compassion modelled by nurses, teachers, and the population of Vietnam in caring for children and adults that the Vietnam War had mentally or physically changed.

Vietnam is a country that has been torn apart by war, violence, and division over centuries, but in visiting this museum and in the interactions I had with all the locals, I sensed a stronger emotion; love. Love for us tourists, love for each other, and love for their country, despite the harrowing past. They have every reason to be spiteful, but choose kindness over hate, and that has made all the difference. When I think about my own life, the pain I’ve had feels minuscule compared to the atrocities witnessed by people such as my researched soldier, Aldy Aldenhoven, encouraging me to choose peace in times of conflict and love in every interaction I have. I do this because those in Vietnam and abroad - civilians and soldiers, alive or deceased, carrying a past of division and violence on their shoulders - have endured the hardest of circumstances with smiles and compassion. 

In understanding the history of the Vietnam War and honouring the lives lost, I choose to be kind.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the other awardees, Aaron, Tracey, Adam, Bex, Lara, and Dennis for facilitating this life-changing trip and providing life-long memories that won’t be soon forgotten.