Derek Howard was lucky to escape with his life after a grenade was thrown into a Vietnamese bar.
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That was the closest he came to military action during what he describes as a "bullshit war", if he is being honest.
At the young age of 17, Mr Howard joined the navy on his third attempt after competing year 10, and only a couple of months later was on the HMAS Sydney, an aircraft carrier, headed to Vung Tau to fight in a war.
"We arrived late in the afternoon and dropped anchor," the now 72-year-old recalls.
"For four days, we offloaded supplies. I could see the shoreline and saw flashes of gunfire and field artillery.
"As I was one of the new people, I had the honour, as soon as it became dark, of being an armed sentry on the flight deck.
"I was shitting myself. I was only 17 and half years old.
"I came from a country town to Sydney and that was a blow out, but then I was deployed to Vietnam in August via Brisbane.
"To come from a peaceful place and end up in a place like that was daunting."
After his first tour, Mr Howard was deployed for a second time to Vung Tau where he remembers having very little sleep as seaman had to throw grenades over the side of the ship to repel enemy swimmers.
"But I was a bit more relaxed that time as I had been in the navy for six years by then".
The Koonawarra resident would go on to serve another six years in the navy, eventually leaving the service in 1977 as he could not get a promotion above a leading seaman.
"I couldn't settle down in a job when I when got out of the navy," he said. "I didn't leave because I disliked it and I was disappointed to get out but I didn't want to say at the same rank. I enjoyed my time in the navy.
"But as for the Vietnam War, that was a waste of time and lives in my opinion. The poor guys didn't know who they were fighting, who their enemy was."
I will greatly miss the Anzac Day service this year.
- Derek Howard
This year, Anzac Day will be feel different for Mr Howard. He won't be up in the early hours of the morning to unfold chairs and put out programs at the Wollongong Cenotaph.
The City of Wollongong RSL sub-branch member, and former treasurer of seven years, will rather don his RSL jacket and proudly pin his medals to his chest before he walks with his wife out his front door to the end of his driveway.
He will look around and see his neighbours, including his daughter and her family, standing at the end of their driveways, taking time to reflect on all wars and conflicts. They will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the service of defence personnel.
Importantly, Mr Howard, and all veterans, will not be alone. Their service will be remembered.
"Unfortunately, we can't congregate together," Mr Howard said. "I will greatly miss the Anzac Day service this year.
"It would have been one of my last chances to march in the parade with my son, who is leaving the navy next year.
"But I will be glad to go to the end of my driveway."
Mr Howard said he hoped to march with his son next year, which will be his final time as a serving member after a 20-year career.
The veteran said he had more ups than downs while serving in the navy and most fondly remembers the mateship and camaraderie with his fellow seaman, some of whom he still catch ups with at events all these years on.
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