Port Macquarie students have learnt about Australia's war-time past with a visit from a travelling Vietnam War museum and memorial, the Nambus on June 20.
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St Joseph's Regional College students were given first-hand insight into the conflict which claimed the lives of 521 Australian men and women, wounding over 3000 from 1962 to 1975.
The war's aftermath and the hostile reception service personnel received when they returned home are also discussed.
Nambus vice-president and Private Lindsay Thomson said the presentations and story telling was helpful for both veterans and students.
"Primarily it is for the veterans to give something back to the community," said Private Thomson.
"It helps us veterans to come to terms with what we have been through.
"The kids have been learning through pictures and text but we can give them the first hand accounts from veterans, although we don't go into the blood and guts realities of war.
"We get invited back so we must be doing something right."
The Vietnam Veterans Exhibition features video footage, artifacts, photographs, headline posters and slides of the war era staffed by former soldiers.
Each year the bus visits 8,000 to 10,000 students and allows veterans to share their stories with the next generation.
Nambus coordinator and Lance Corporal Barry Lynch said being part of the bus team was like returning to a team environment.
"The camaraderie is important. We feel that we are back in a team supporting each other," said Lance Corporal Lynch.
"Addressing the students is sort of therapy for us as well.
"A lot of us came back and were shunned, there was a feeling this country couldn't care less about us.
"We threw our medals away, couldn't join RSLs and couldn't even get a job if you put that on your CV."
St Joseph's Regional College student Ashely Garth, 15 said the treatment of returned servicemen and women was very sad.
"It's really interesting hearing from the veterans," said Ashely.
"It's kind of sad knowing that people died and what happened when they returned to Australia.
"They were spat on and not recognised for their service.
"I don't agree with it because they did what they had to for our country and to protect us."
From June 17 to 21, the bus visited Hastings Secondary College, Camden Haven High School, St Columba Anglican School, St Joseph's Regional College and MacKillop College.
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