Australian War Memorial director Dr Brendan Nelson delivered the address at the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Memorial Day in Springwood on Sunday, August 13.

Dr Nelson shared the story of ex-Katoomba High School student Bob Bowtell, who died in poisonous gas in the underground labyrinth of a Viet Cong tunnel in South Vietnam in 1966. The corporal was on duty with the 3rd Field Troop of Royal Australian Engineers.

"After more than a half a century from the events that bring us here today it's easy to allow the past to become a distant stream; through neglectful indifference to forget Bob Bowtell and all of you that are here and those whom you represent,” said Dr Nelson.

“[But] no group of Australians has given more, nor worked harder, to shape our values and our beliefs as Australians than those who wear, and have worn, the uniforms of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force.”

Bowtell’s remains, and those of 32 other veterans and dependants, were returned to Australia in June last year in an emotional ceremony.

Along with another Blue Mountains man who died in Vietnam, Private Ron Field, Bowtell was remembered at a Welcome Home Commemoration in Lawson last August.

Dr Nelson spoke about the Vietnam War veterans who “bore deep wounds that were denied healing by returning to an Australia that falsely and wrongly conflated their opposition to the war with criticism of those who had done it in our name”. 

He said Memorial Days like the annual event in Springwood have a crucial role to play.

"The paradox of this event, and days like it, is that it's not about war. It's about love and friendship - love for friends and between friends; love of family; love of our country. It's honouring men and women whose lives are devoted, not to themselves, but to us."

Veterans from the Blue Mountains and surrounding regions took part in the Memorial Day, with local school children, defence force cadets, and scouts also joining the march.

The Salvation Army Band also performed at the Memorial Day.