By Hannah McNamara
Mackay recently marked Veterans Day and Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day, honouring the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of Australians who served in the armed forces. From battlefields to skies and seas, veterans faced extraordinary challenges to protect their country and its people.
These commemorations do more than reflect on the past, they pass on stories of valour and service to future generations. Firsthand experiences, like those of Vietnam veterans, help young Australians understand the realities of war, the cost of freedom, and the importance of resilience, courage, and faith.
By remembering those who never returned, supporting those who endured lasting scars, and celebrating acts of heroism, these days ensure that sacrifices are never forgotten. They inspire communities to value peace, uphold gratitude, and foster a sense of duty for generations to come.
Lest We Forget.
Mackay stood in solemn solidarity at Jubilee Park, gathering on Friday, 15th August for VP Day and Monday, 18th August for Vietnam Veterans Day, to honour and remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of Australians who served. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
By Hannah McNamara
On August 18, as the sun set over Jubilee Park, locals gathered in solidarity to remember, honour and commemorate approximately 60,000 Australians who fought in the Vietnam War.
Adorned with medals and badges, many carried a quiet resilience that spoke volumes of their service and sacrifice. The wider veteran community stood shoulder to shoulder in support, paying tribute to the bravery of those who served.
Whether on the ground as soldiers, at sea with the Royal Australian Navy, or in the skies with the Royal Australian Air Force, each and every person who contributed, whether in combat or transport, deserves to be remembered and recognised.
Many were drafted at just 20 years old, some even younger, to serve their country. Some never returned. Others came home wounded, scarred, and burdened with memories that lingered long after the weapons were laid down.
Today, the focus remains on informing future generations, supporting those who sacrificed so much, and preserving the history that has helped shape our nation.
Among those who stood at Jubilee Park was Peter Loosmore, a living testimony of faith forged through fear. He fought in Vietnam, overcame his dread of dying, and now lives in freedom, despite the deep scars of war.
For him, everything changed one night in 1972.
He recalled the “hot, humid” evening before his first time in combat, when the weight of death pressed heavily on him.
“We were to fly out the next morning.
“I looked up because I was scared of dying, and I said, ‘God, if you are real, please look after me.’”
He had no idea those words would mark the beginning of a new life – one that would later see him sharing his story of faith with hundreds around the world.
The war itself was brutal. Mr Loosmore endured gruelling conditions and witnessed sights he will never forget. When he returned home, the emotional toll manifested in heavy drinking and the struggles of PTSD.
But something else awaited him. After Vietnam, he was introduced to a faith he had never known.
“After returning to Australia safely another soldier shared the gospel message of Jesus Christ and forgiveness of my sins, and to be born again," he said.
“Since that day, I am a born again Christian following Jesus and I now have no fear of dying.
“That was the most positive thing that happened to me in Vietnam.”
Like many veterans, he admitted the years after the war were far from easy.
**“I was drinking really bad. I was a bit of a mess,” he said. **
“But Jesus healed me.”
Conscripted at just 21 through the national service lottery, Mr Loosmore remembers clearly the unique position he held.
“I was one of the last to go,” he recalled. “And one of the last to leave Vietnam.”
Now celebrating his 75th birthday, Mr Loosmore reflects on that desperate prayer whispered before his first patrol.
For him, it remains the turning point of his life.
He continues to encourage others to surrender their fears and embrace the same freedom he found, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Lest We Forget
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) base at Van Kiep, South Vietnam - where Peter Loosmore cried out for protection before facing his first combat. Photo source: Australian War Memorial
Vietnam veteran Peter Loosmore now serves as a pastor, traveling overseas to preach the gospel and share his story of faith and resilience with communities around the world. Photo source: Peter Loosmore
Mr Loosmore served with the Australian Army in 1972, and faced the harsh realities of combat before finding faith that transformed his life. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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