Chief Warrant Officer 2 Richard Guay Served two tours of duty as a helicoptor gunship pilot in Vietnam.

His describes his experiences in his own words:

My name is Richard Guay, I am 61 years old. I served six years of active duty between 1968 and 1973 in the US Army as a helicopter pilot, with two tours of duty as a helicopter gunship pilot in the Vietnam War in 1969/70 and 1972/73.

I march to show my respect for my late wife, who as an Australian civilian nurse also served two years in Vietnam at a place called Bien Hoa in a hospital built by the Australian government.

I march in memory of those soldiers and air crew of all nationalities who lost their lives in the service of their country, as well as those who were physically and mentally maimed by their experiences.

I march to show my respect for all allied forces who fought, and many died, in the Malayan Emergency, the Korean War, and World Wars I and II.

I march to show my understanding and respect of those troops now in uniform as well as those engaged in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a veteran I share and understand their plight while in combat, as well as the feelings they experience in being separated from their loved ones while their lives are at risk from a faceless enemy. Anzac Day is a wonderful tradition allowing those of us who fought, as well as those of us who care, a chance to show that we realise that: Freedom is not free.

Private John Hodgson, 3 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR, who served in Vietnam in 1969 as a platoon radio operator, remembers 1970 and the Welcome Home Parade:

Loss of innocence was 1970. Then in 1987, a handful of Vietnam veterans organised a "Welcome Home Parade" in Sydney.

After having considered suicide on several occasions, and with just 48 hours till the parade, I decided that I would travel to Sydney, take to the streets and finally march in the parade instead of "watching from the side". That first step took more courage than I had mustered since that fateful night when I carried a wounded mate to safety while being fired upon by AK47s.

Following that parade, I realised that we were marching in memory of all those people who had given up their lives for the freedom of others and that from now on I would always take my place in Anzac Day parades.

On a personal note, there is another date that is very important to me. It is February 28, 1970. It was on (and about) this date that we lost approximately 10 per cent of our company in Vietnam. To reflect on that day each year, I sit down beside a shrine or cenotaph and have a smoke (or two) and chat to my deceased mates.

I probably look silly, but I don't care. It is a private time that I spend in memory of my lost mates. Although I usually cry at the time, I always feel good later.

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