North Shore Times (New Zealand)

‘We got spat on in the street’ - veteran

- JARRED WILLIAMSON

People’s attitudes to those who served in the Vietnam War are changing, one veteran has observed, in the lead up to an annual memorial in Auckland on August 20 .

Ken Ford says New Zealanders had become more political and vocal about their beliefs during its involvemen­t in the war through the 1960s and 70s.

Veterans had a tough time reintegrat­ing back into society upon their return, he says.

‘‘After we got back, we got spat on in the street 40 years ago. It wasn’t very nice,’’ he recalls.

But times have changed and so to have some people’s opinions.

‘‘We’ve had some apologies from some of those people. More recently we’ve had people thanking us for our service.’’

Ford first arrived in Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, 52 years ago.

He served in the 161st Battery as a radio operator as part of a forward observer group. He was tasked with sending coordinate­s back for fire support.

Thirty seven New Zealand soldiers died during the war.

People will come from as far as Australia to remember veterans for memorial on August 20.

‘‘Last year it almost resembled an ANZAC Day service. All are welcome to join,’’ Ford says.

There are a number of veterans out in the community from all walks of life.

After leaving the army, Ford embarked on a 23 year career as a fisheries officer.

As a qualified diver, he dealt with plastic fencing and carried out a number of scallop surveys throughout the country.

In 1969 he was promoted to senior fisheries officer and moved to the South Island where he worked for 20 years.

He moved back to Auckland in 1990 and began work for the then Justice Department as a PD warden.

‘‘There were fights and punch ups in the first week, I thought ‘I’m not doing it’ and 17 years later I left the job,’’ Ford laughs.

As part of the job he covered parts of south Auckland where he now lives.

‘‘I still have some former inmates coming up to me and saying ‘hello Mr Ford’,’’ he says.

In Auckland, the Vietnam Veterans’ Remembranc­e Day is on August 20 at Manukau Memorial Gardens, Papatoetoe.

Attendees are asking to assemble at the Vietnam memorial before 10am for a prompt start.

 ??  ?? Ken Ford served in Vietnam between 1965-1966, left, and pictured last year wearing his medals.
Ken Ford served in Vietnam between 1965-1966, left, and pictured last year wearing his medals.

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