If this song comes on the jukebox in an Australian pub, the noise stops. It's an unofficial national anthem.

As an Australian, this song has been respected in our culture for decades. It is as powerful now as it was back in it's day. Thankyou for a very meaningful and honest and difficult review. We need to know and understand the trauma our soldiers go through. I know it's an American thing to say but I have always liked it's sentiment and a thing I think all servicemen need to hear - Thankyou for your service.

As the widow of a Vietnam Vet who took his life two and a half years ago, I thank you for your caring and sharing.

AS an Aussie this song brings a tear to my eyes every time I hear it, and yes it refers to vietnam

My beautiful nephew did 2 tours of Afghanistan with the ADF and came home so broken. My sister drove to get him and he was in the foetal position in the back of her car. The ADF did nothing to help, he joined the Victoria Police and they are the ones who took care of him. He has lost several brothers, who have taken their own lives and we were terrified a family, that we would lose him. He just got married in Greece yesterday to the most beautiful girl who knows how to help him and they have a one yr old daughter. He can still have a bad day but his life has changed dramatically and we are so thrilled for him. I’ve just been looking at the wedding videos from my sister who is there. He looks so happy ❤️

Aussie here. This is a very powerful song for us - Makes strong men and women go completely silent. The song can almost be too hard to listen to sometimes. Makes me shake my head at what young men and women go through for their country. Prayers and respect to our Veterans in Aus, & USA. Lest We Forget.

Australia was in Vietnam in 1962 and stayed until 1972. President Johnson became the first sitting U.S. President to visit here in 66 to get the cooperation of Australian troops via our Prime Minister Harold Holt. We have fought alongside the U.S in every war since the start of the 20th century. Approximately 60,000 Australians served in the war: 521 were killed and more than 3,000 were wounded.

I have 2 words "Long Tan" our boys did us proud their sacrifice means the world to any true Aussie

We went to Vietnam because the USA went to Vietnam - we don't let our mates fight alone, even if it's a bad idea

I'm a 71 year old Aussie. Only recently got on to VA because of PTSD that has often ruled my life. Our era didn't talk about things that traumatised us. "Build a bridge and get over it" was the phrase we threw at each other to prove our masculinity. I now know that talking to others helps. Our country was very slow in saying thank you for your service.

This song is so important in Australia and was so pivotal to changing the way Vietnam vets were seen in this country that lyrics from it are on the national war memorial in Canberra.

As written on the Australian War Memorial website... I was only 19 was released in March 1983 when discussion of the Vietnam War, which had so fiercely divided public opinion a decade earlier, was generally avoided in polite conversation. A generation of veterans had been left feeling isolated and with a belief they had been forgotten by their country. I was only 19 provided a fresh perspective, presenting a compelling sympathetic account of an Australian soldier’s experience of the war and its aftermath. Concentrating on the toll paid by those who took part rather than debating the merits of the war itself, it became the quintessential song of the Australian Vietnam War veteran. John Schumann ­- who was the lead singer of Redgum at the time the song was written - based the lyrics on the experiences of his brother-in-law Mick Storen, who served with 3 Platoon, A Company, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in Vietnam in 1969. The song’s alternative title, A walk in the light green, refers to patrolling in a patch of jungle known by troops as “the light green”, due to its colour on topographical maps, indicating lightly wooded areas presenting little cover and a high likelihood of land mines. The song refers to events that occurred during Operation Mundingburra, a search and destroy operation conducted between 14 July and 18 August 1969, during which Mick Storen’s platoon patrolled in the light green to the east of the Long Hai hills.

Actually our involvement was due to the ANZUS treaty. Australia, New Zealand (who were also there) and the USA.

I went with my parents as a 9 month old baby to the Sydney docks in 1969 to farewell my young Uncle (My Dads younger brother) who was in the 6th Battalion and off to Vietnam. The 6th Battalion were the most impactful Battalion of the Australian Army in the Vietnam war. This song mentions them. My Uncle was only 20 years old at the time and had to have his 21st birthday over there. So young😔 He was conscripted. This song means alot to me. When he made his speech at my wedding in 1999, he pulled out a photo of my older brother and I that my mother gave him before he left that day on the dock. He carried it in his shirt pocket all the time he was in Vietnam. It meant so much to me that he still had it and it helped remind him of love, family and home fighting in that terrible war. Our young men were forced to go to war only to be shunned when returning home and not even allowed to march in the National Anzac Day Parades as war veterans until the 1990s. So instead of the bureaucrats being punished for their serious stuff up involving our troops in this war, the returning soldiers were instead. Disgusting times. I want to say thank you to all service people for their sacrifice and service to their countries. My dear Dad served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 44 years from 1963 until he retired in 2007. My Dad wasn't sent to Vietnam thankfully. I am so sorry you have had to suffer from the effects of war too. Stay strong.❤🇦🇺

This song comes on the radio, or gets played by someone, somewhere, everyone stops in their tracks. This song does not fuck around, does not sugar coat. It is brutal. It is real. I was lucky to see John Schumer perform this live at the ANZAC Day AFL function this year, and as always, it was tears and chills. If you haven't already, it's worth checking the back story in this. Denny is the singer's sister, and the story is from the point of view of her husband (John's brother in law). Simply mind blowing 😢

German Vet here, wishing all the best, PLEASE get every help! You are not alone!

As an Australian, I'm so sorry that this song and it's music video triggered your PTSD. I can see your pain and I sympathize. But truly that is the point of the song, the Vietnam veterans were trreated like shit when they returned to Australia from the war and this song MADE Australians aware of the reality of what occured in Vietnam and the reality of PTSD and shell shock. Thank you for an honest and emotional understanding of one of Australia's most powerful anthems.

Australia has stood beside the USA in every conflict of modern times. We are a staunch ally.

From an Aussie, thank you for your insightful reaction which obviously took a toll on you. There is a much later version titled "PTSD15 Special Recording "I Was Only 19" John Schumann" that has John Schuman (the lead singer) talking quite a bit about PTSD.

Aussie combat vet Thank you brother for doing this,it’s about a Viet Nam vet but regardless of the conflict all vets can relate to it,there’s days l don’t leave the house with my PTSD,every day I ask why l’m still here 🇦🇺🇺🇸

Aussies have fought with America in every war together

Mate, as an Aussie chick, let me ask you to be kind to yourself. I wouldn't have blamed you for walking away halfway through this song. I could see the upset in your eyes. Big hugs to you. Take care.

Context on the song intro: Passing out parade - Graduation parade from recruits Puckapunyal - Central Victoria. Was used as a recruit training base then, now Kapooka Mid NSW is used. 6 Battalion - Aus Army was loosely based around 9 Infantry Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. Drew the card. - Allegedly a card draw decided the companies sent. (May stand corrected on that) Canungra - Jungle warfare school in the hills behind the Gold Coast. Shoalwater Bay - Lovely training area mid Queensland near Rockhampton. Still active today for multi national exercises Townsville - City in North Queensland with Major military bases. Seven wonderful years based there. (no sarcasm, its great) Cheers!

I also do not understand it. I know my trauma is negligible in comparison to many. My brain still reacts to trauma. Let's try to be kind to all who feel the pain. xxxx

As an Aussie I grew up with his song, served in the Army and RAAF. Brilliant song to help people understand a soldiers life.

There were 60,000 Aussie Vietnam vets.

Australian here - I play this song every Anzac Day and The Band Played Waltzing about Gallipoli War 🦘🇦🇺

The song writer wrote this song after speaking to his brother inlaw who served in Vietnam. He played it to his brother inlaw and some other Vets before Redgum released it. They said he captured their experiences perfectly.

Aussie Iraq Vet here, this randomly popped up in my feed to watch tonight. It"s a powerful song, plenty of messages within. Hope you're OK brother.

From an Aussie with PTSD - God bless you sir

Let’s hope you get a sensible President who maintains the treaty.

"The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is a must. It’s WWI, where in percentage of population terms, Australia lost more young men than any other country. Largely on the beaches of Gallipoli.

Thank you for covering this. This song brought the atrocities of war home to the Australian population, and we weep to this day when it plays. Bless our veterans, our soldiers and all who stand with us 🇦🇺 .

Aussie here, this song, even now, stops me in my tracks every time and brings tears to my eyes. Extremely powerful song, just like your reactions and emotions listening to it❤ never stop talking!

Both my Granddads fought in the war. One for England and the other was one of the first Aboriginal men in the Air Force. This song hits home for me a lot. John Schumann was the singer of the band Redgum, he wrote this song based on the experiences of his brother in law who served in the Vietnam war. One veteran told John that when he first heard his song he pulled his car over and cried for about an hour because it was the first time since the war that he felt like someone else understood what he went through and was still going through. It's a very powerful song

This song has always haunted me, because I lived in that Era. It was on the TV News every night, and when it was Christmas time, they let the Aussie Boys and Girls send recorded messages to their loved ones. My Husband was going into the next Ballot , until we had a change of Government, and we pulled out of the War. The way these Soldiers were treated, was reprehensible, and made to feel worthless, as well as dealing with PTSD. Wow, I can feel you are dealing with these Demons now….I’m glad you have found a way to cope, partly . Virtual hugs, from Down Under.🇦🇺

Thank you for ur reaction and being honest and vulnerable. This song is still very important and relevant

dont forget there were a lot of kiwis that also were there suppoting our western island mates.😉

❤❤ It makes me Cry when you soldiers get teary while listening to this song. We Love You❣️❣️❣️

"Frankie kicked a mine the day mankind kicked the moon. He was going home in June." Neil Armstrong kicked that moon dust on 21 July 1969. Frankie's tour was supposed to end in June, he got extended.

A buddy of mine has been sending me more Australian country/folk style music and I gotta say wow! Y'all got some talented people behind the 🎤

Suggestion : Cold Chisel "Khe Sahn" and "When The War Is Over" - war songs done by one of the greatest Aussie bands you've never heard of. Lead singer is JIMMY BARNES

As an Australian, I thank you for your service. You got this mate, keep your head up. As dark as life can be sometimes, it always gets better. We might not know the demons you fight, but as long as you stay in the fight and overcome them. This song always make me tear up, and seeing your genuine reaction, made me tear up again. I am not a veteran, and will never claim to be, but have many family members serve over many conflicts, and do feel your struggle. Stay strong brother, your family need you to be.

Obviously this has brought up some deep felt emotions from your own harrowing experience in a war zone etc. This song has taught many of us just how brutal war is and that the affects of it last a life time.... Thanks so much for your honest reaction and sharing part of your own story., Stay strong and be well my friend. Love from Australia

John Schumann wrote this song about his brother-in-law.'s experience in Vietnam. He released another video years later where he discussed writing the song and the impact of it. He tells the story of one particular veteran who had been gaslighted by his doctor. When he heard this song, he was driving. He pulled his car over and cried. It is really worth watching simply for the story he says before singing the song again.

As has already been stated you should react to " The Band played Waltzing Matilda " . Its about Anzacs ( Australia New Zealand Army Corp ) at Gallipoli. It was our baptism of fire .

Australia entered the Vietnam War in April of '65 in response to the US wanting to secure allies and strengthen strategic relations to halt the spreading movement of communism in SE Asia.

Hey man, as a civilian and somewhat a pacifist just want you to know that you have my utmost respect and sincere gratitude for what is the highest form of public service.

Im sorry that it still hurts so much, mate. Praying for your peace in this life and thereafter. 😢

The Vietnam War was very divisive in Australia and many of us shunned the servicemen who took part in it. This song from a long-haired muso back in 1983 did a great deal to heal the rift.

On 29 April 1965 Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced in parliament that Australia would send a battalion of combat troops to Vietnam. The decision was motivated by a desire to strengthen strategic relations with the United States and to halt the spread of communism in South-East Asia. Peace out.

Thank you for covering this so thoughtfully. As an Australian it always brings a tear to my eye because it reminds me of the people I knew growing up who had served in Vietnam. I'm sorry for any trauma you've experienced as such a young man and I hope going forward you have only good days ahead.

Australia joined because of the red threat and America asked. We've been if basicly every American conflict since ww2 and Asia is our back yard. We were in Korea too

I love hearing the Aussie accent in songs. And the fact that this is a great song and depiction of war and the effects of it.

Love this song, powerful.

To those who have put on the kit Take heart to know ALL of you are loved by those who matter stateside USA or NZ or Australia Stay well god blessings and thank you from Oz

I don’t know how you went through this song & weren’t bawling your eyes out. PTSD is no joke. The worst possible experiences you could imagine are experienced in war, there is no doubt. But trauma is different for everyone. When you’ve experienced what you have, it would be hard to imagine someone else experiencing the symptoms of PTSD for something you may deem ‘lesser’. We are wired differently & for some, relatively smaller ‘traumas’ & those that seem ‘not as bad’ still cause the symptoms & experience of PTSD. This is the first video of yours that I’ve seen & you gained my total respect & follow/subscribe. Thank you for your service. From a proud Aussie. ❤

As an Aussie and former RAR member who served in Iraq I hear you man

I worked with a woman whose husband had been a Vietnam soldier, he had severe mental trauma and was physically affected by Agent Orange, both their children were born with disabilities! She worked so hard to support them all! I hope you can learn to move on from the trauma, I have a tiring photographic memory and really felt your pain! 😪🙏

Can’t listen to this song and not shed a tear. We who have not served will never know what our troops go through. But this song more than any I’ve heard at least gives us a better understanding. ❤

I always have and always will tear up with this song..total respect for veterans and the serving

This made it real for people who didn't go. I cry everytime i hear it, i protested as a teen i understand better as an adult.

Thank you & all of our Servicemen for your service. Our lives are what they are because of you all. It comes at a very height cost, not only those who died, those like yourself who live with this every day. God bless you all.

This song powerfully speaks to truth. Maybe it should be revived in its original form to politicians everywhere.

God bless you with the hurt you are still feeling. You are one heck of a man, explaining your feelings. Thank you. You are still here because God needed you to explain how all of you felt facing this. It is so real

Australia is not part of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), because we aren’t in the Atlantic. We are, however, part of the ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, USA) Treaty & the AUKUS (Australia United Kingdom, USA) Treaty.

This song never fails to give me chills. Means so much to Australians. Always play it on ANZAC day. Thank you for giving your thoughts on this song. Respect for your service.

The song is subtitled "a walk in the light green". "It's a song about two mates of mine who went to Vietnam, came back Agent Orange victims. The title "A Walk in the Light Green" stems from the fact that when the Australian soldiers in Vietnam were given their missions, they looked at the areas where they'd be working in on the map and if it was dark green on the map, then there was cause for some consolation, because dark green meant thick jungle, lots of cover, and there were no mines. If they were working in areas that were light green on the map, that meant light jungle, not much cover, and heaps of mines. This is a song for Mick and Frankie. It's called "A walk in the light green". John Schumann (Redgum). A direct quote from a live version of this song I have.

there is a good update of this song called, "I Was Only 19" A Song About PTSD by John Schumann This is him singing in the song and he explains the song and how it all came about..

this song still brings me to tears. I hope you are doing well, sir. Check out a Vietnam War movie called Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan. Make sure to read the notes at the end of the movie to see how long it took for "OUR" government to finally recognize their sacrifice. It actually took the U.S. a hell of a lot quicker to recognize this.

I'm a mid 70s male and remember this era vivedly. At the time, National Conscription was introduced for all 18 yr old males for the purpose of building the ranks of the Australian Armed Forces with the possibility of being sent overseas to fight. I myself registered, and my card, which was my birth date, never came out and I was one of those that were rejected. A number of workmates and freinds weren't so lucky and ended up fighting in Vietnam, and some of those returned and have never been the same. My son, who was a member of the Airforce, spent time in Khandahar and the Australian base at Tarin Kowt, suffers from PTSD and is still attempting to overcome problems, but is gradualy recovering. Thank you for such a great reaction and especially your own feelings, with dealing with kind words to all veterans.👍👍

Good luck my friend from Australia. If you want another try "And the band played waltzing matilda" which covers the same theme but from WW1.

Subscribed. Aussie here. Respect for you and all you put yourself through, we are one and we feel you. Keep moving forward and try your best to leave the past in the past. (It is what it is) I'm going to go through every video you have posted and like. It's my pathetic way of saying thank you for your service !

I am an Aussie, and I will say “thank you for your service”, and mean it. I think I was about 7 years old when I first heard this song. It’s had a different meaning for me later in life. PTSD is hard. I was a bit worried about you there for a moment. Could see when this touched on your experience. Glad to see that you have the toolset to process it. We need to talk about these scars the way we talk about the physical ones.

Thank you Sir for sharing your experiences. It is already an emotional song for many Aussies. You helped bring that to life. War sucks for soldiers and civilians on all sides. The death, injury, trauma :-( Regardless of the politics of those who chose send people or declare conflict. Thank you for your service.

Hey mate good reaction but maybe check out "Only nineteen(A walk in the light green)" and see how John Schuman created the song.

Thanks for coving this song mate . All the best from Australia ❤

Respect n thanks to our American servicemen from us here in Australia too! Many Americans I've spoken to online in games etc don't even know we are allies n fought in every war with u guys side by side..so thanks for honouring our servicemen! We are not part of NATO..it was Nam in this music clip too. God bless to this youtuber/ex-serviceman, thanks for ur service man..keep ur chin up brother, hope ur PTSD don't get the better off u or any servicemen or women coz u all deserve thd best of things!

3:13 up to this point he's singing about prior to leaving. He talks about the passing out parade at "Puckapnuyal" out parade, i.e. when they finished. This was where national service people trained before being deployed. Then he talks about other training establishment and exercises. Including Canungra, and Shoalwater Bay (this is where Talisman Sabre is held that US and other allied nations participate in) "before we left". Townsville is a major Army town, the public lined the road to send off their men as they marched to the Quay to get on ships to go to Vietnam. Bit disappointing that America's greatest ally, us, going to Vietnam after being asked by the US to, and Americans not realising we fought over there with them.

Thank you from an Aussie for your reaction. I can see it affected you. God bless you and I hope your soul heals.

Australia, New Zealand and the US formed the ANZUS alliance following World War 2. Australia has followed the US in every conflict outside South America since 1930. That includes the entire War in the Pacific Theatre in WWI, Korean War, Malaya (actually a British intervention), Vietnam, 2x in Iraq, Afghanistan, Timor etc etc.

Another Aussie here. As others have said, it's a special song to us. Thank you for sharing your reaction with us, I hope you have a "brother or sister" to lean on in these times. It shows that regardless of the conflict, the result is still the same. As a side note, Frankie wasn't actually coming home in June. It was the only thing the author could find to rhyme with "moon". There is a podcast on the ABC here in Aus, I think it was in the Tall Tales and True series where John Schmann explains how he authored the song. Don't know if it's still there, it's called "19" strangely enough.

Thank you for your authentic reaction. And for your service. I’m saddened with each playing of this peace. And also about your continued symptoms. I hope you are well.

This song always makes me emotional, but hearing your stories, I couldn't turn off the waterworks. Thankyou for sharing a part of you

I saw Redgum at Surfair on Sunshine Coast (in OZ) back in the day - I was young then and did not fully understand the significance of the song - but I am older now and this song now brings tears to my eyes - those young men lived and died through a pointless hell for no real reason at all..

Thank you for your service. When you started talking about yourself with your sleeping patterns etc, I thought I was listening to a team member in my unit. One day at a time brother. Lest we forget.

Aussie here. Peace man. All the best. Thanks for puting yourself on the line. Thanks for doign the song.

God bless you for showing this it's just heartbreaking thank you for your service I can see how much this song meant to you

Thank you for reacting to this song. My dad is an Aussie Vietnam Vet.

Ex Combat scout sniper been in the trenches 3 times.. thank you for your service to your country god bless you and stay strong brother 🇦🇺 🇺🇸

Your story reminds me of the late well-known writer, film critic and TV personality (in Australia and Britain) Clive James. His father died in a plane crash just after the end of WWII on the way home from 4 years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, while Clive was just a kid.

One of my relatives went off to the frontlines of Vietnam when he was 21. As far I understand, he took more than a handful of lives. But he's never talked about his time there. He's never been the same after he came back.

The singer of this song is retelling what was told to him by his brother in law, a Vietnam veteran. It helped regular Australians to understand the pain that veterans were going threw

Aussies , kiwis and Americans have been brothers in arms in most conflicts. Speaking for myself only, I see Aussies as your scrappy younger brother, we have the same morals but not so much strength.❤

Those of us who have never been there can never say "I understand". We can also never truly sympathise as we have no experience that could even come close. Even thanking those that serve feels hollow. We must never forget that the freedoms we enjoy are because of what the men and women who serve, and served, have done for us.

THANK YOU MATE!

Another great song about war from Australia is "and the band played waltzing Matilda"

12.33 ANZAC - Australia New Zealand Army Corp

Adam here. Enjoyed your reaction and had some genuine tears for you guys. I've had traumatic experiences and relate somewhat but not the same.

The rash was from the ancient orange my dad was a 19 yr Aussie Viet vet. He finally got his peace at 67 from from cancer .I think you know what I mean his peace.I whispered those words to him as he drew his last breath good night dad sleep tight it’s time for you to rest. Thank you for your service also. Thankyou