Founded in 1982 to promote on-going comradeship amongst members, and to assist with the welfare of Vietnam Veterans, their children and whanau.
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PAM MILEY TERRY - QSM
It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of 30769 Charge Sister Pamela (Pam) Miley Terry-RNZNC, 1ALSG, Vung Tau on 12 August 2024 aged 86 years.
In 1962 Pam enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps and from February 1969 to February 1970 she served in South Vietnam, where she was based at Vung Tau, attached to the 1st Australian Field Hospital. During this period she established a special `caring association` with many soldiers, many of which continue to this day. (Pam was one of nine NZ nurses attached to 1 As Field Hospital).
Pam was dedicated to helping Veterans. Her links with veterans from wide-ranging campaigns are cemented; she was dedicated to their wellbeing, providing support to their widows, ensuring they get what they're entitled to. The paperwork was complex, Pam demystified it and her country recognised her for it. In 2004 she was awarded a Queen's Service Medal.
She continued her work helping veterans through the Vietnam Veterans Family Trust as the appointee of the NZ Vietnam Veterans Association.
RIP Pam, thank you for your service
A service to celebrate Pam's life will be held at 1 pm Thursday 15 August at Haven Falls Poutama Tangihanga Funeral Home, 217 Old Taupo Road, Hillcrest Rotorua. Click onto the link below to view the service
https://www.havenfalls.co.nz/livestream/?funeral=ANUmS
NZ VIETNAM VETERANS NATIONAL REUNION 2024
Friday 1st Nov to Sunday 3rd November 2024
REUNION VENUE - WAIRAKEI IN TAUPŌ
Greetings all
The NZ Vietnam Veterans Association Reunion is scheduled for Taupo 1-3 November. It is a families reunion, tailored for children and grandchildren of veterans, as we work to hand over the Association to the next generations. This Reunion is very important for the Veteran Group, our Whanau and the Association.
Click here for the General Information Sheet and click here for the Registration Form.
Don't forget Vietnam Veterans can apply to use the Commemorative Allowance and you can apply for up to a $2,500 contribution. Click on this link for further information https://www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/a-z/commemorative-travel-contribution/
The amount must be based on actual costs related to your trip. Costs can include:
- travel such as flights, rail, bus, or ferries
- transfers
- travel insurance
- accommodation
The contribution cannot cover food, entertainment, or other costs.
An early response will help us book numbers and events. Please pass these details on to other with Vietnam Service and their Whanau so we get the widest possible publicity for the event.
See you in Taupo.
Regards
Barry Dreyer, National Vice President
Information about the temporary suspension by Veterans’ Affairs of new VIP services to clients without a service-related health condition
Key points
- From 13 March 2024, VA suspended the Veterans’ Independence Programme (VIP) for new clients without a service-related condition. The suspension will last for one year (until March 2025).
- There will be no change to the availability and delivery of VIP services to veterans who have a service-related injury or illness from their qualifying service that VA have accepted.
- Any veteran who already has VIP services in place will continue to receive them under their existing conditions.
For further information visit the VA website at the following link: https://www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/a-z/veterans-independence-programme/
NZ Vietnam Veterans' Intergeneration Health by Eddie Nock
This research was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Practice (Violence and Trauma Studies), Auckland University of Technology. The qualitative project describes the experiences of two NZ Vietnam Veterans and three generations of their families demonstrating the passage of intergenerational health. To read more of this project, click here
NEW ZEALAND VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE COIN
New item available in Q Store. $20 each. Click here for further information
NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE
The NZDF Health Hub website can be found here https://health.nzdf.mil.nz and is worth exploring. It is part of the work going forward on the health of veterans, serving men & women, and whanau. A video on how to use the website can be found by clicking on this link: https://health.nzdf.mil.nz/take-action/using-this-website You will find resources for all members of the NZDF community here.
Veterans' Affairs Website - "Learn About Our claims Process"
Veterans' Affairs have advised us that they have a new section on their website called "Learn about our Claims Process". It contains information specifically for their clients.
It talks about processing times for claims, how to make a claim and what to expect after a claim has been made. This is initial info and it will be updated quarterly on the website.
Click on the link below to the new section:
https://www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/for-clients/information-about-claims/processing-times-for-claims/
MENTIONS IN DESPATCHES by dave sabben
Dave Sabben was a Pl Comd in D/6RAR at Long Tan. He has just published a coffee table book based on his letters to his wife Sue. It is a fantastic read, and will ring all sorts of bells for our cohort. It also tells the Pl level story of Vietnam which will be of interest to the whanau. Click here for more information and review 1 and review 2. Dave's website is www.sabbenmidbook.com where you can find information on how to purchase this book.
Vietnam Veterans (Neville Wallace Memorial) Children's & Grandchildren's Trust
MEMBERSHIP
Subscriptions are now due for 2024 - 2025. Cost is $25 per year. An application form can be downloaded here Word doc or PDF
LATEST FROM THE MoU WORKING GROUP
As advised by NZVVA, the negotiations with the Crown have now concluded. Click here for the latest communique from the MoU Working Group Chair and the documents that have been released.
Agent Orange and other research papers
Click on the links below to access papers submitted by Eddie Nock on
- Agent Orange;
- Conflict between Science;
- Malathion Exposure;
- Own motion Aerial Spraying;
- The Uncounted Casualties of War
An update on his research paper can be accessed (click here) along with the information sheet here
COMMUNICATIONS
Contact
The next edition for the year will be out in July/August 2023. Please note this will be emailed to members.
Any contributions for the next edition can be emailed to:
Remember, this magazine is for you the members so if you have something that you think will interest other members, pleas send it in. All articles are welcome.
NZ MILITARY SERVICE RINGS
Available for purchase direct from the Jeweller. If you wish to know more information about these rings please contact
Click on the following link:
https://www.minturnjewellery.com/shop/Veteran-Military-Rings-c25212377
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