Tribute08 Launch

Tribute08 Launch Function was held at the Banquet Hall, Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington on Tuesday 21 August commencing at 5.30pm to 7.00pm.

Mr Chris Mullane, Vietnam Veteran and Chair of Tribute08 said:

"We launch Tribute08 to honour the past, to celebrate the present and to look forward to the future".

"Today's launch and Tribute08 acknowledges those who served in Vietnam and especially those who died on active service. We also commemorate those veterans who have died since Vietnam, many of whom died before their time and as a consequence of their service.

"New Zealand Vietnam Veterans have attempted for more than 35 years to have consecutive governments address a wide range of concerns resulting from their service and having serious consequences for them and their families. The majority of these concerns are now at last being addressed. This has been achieved because of the intervention of the government and the direct personal interest taken by the Prime Minister in the process of putting things right.

"The very purpose of the launch acknowledges the Vietnam Veterans and their families - wives, widows, partners, children and grandchildren and other family members. Their service and sacrifices are now being acknowledged at last", said Mr Mullane.

The launch event comprised three main parts:

1. Speakers from the Government and the Opposition set the historic context, outlined the measures being taken to address the concerns of Vietnam veterans and established the purpose of the Tribute08 event
2. Commemoration for those who served in Vietnam; those who died on active service and those who have died since
3. Introduced the Tribute08 event itself and outlined its key components.

In attendance were;

• The Right Hon. Helen Clark, Prime Minister
• The Right Hon. Bill English, representing the Leader of the Opposition and the National Party
• Ambassadors and the other dignitaries of the nations that in the 1960s and '70s comprised the Free World Forces that served together in Vietnam.
• The various Ministers of the Crown and especially the Hon. Phil Goff, Minister of Defence and the Hon. Rick Barker Minister of Veterans' Affairs.
• The Leaders of other Parliamentary Parties and the many Members of Parliament.
• Vietnam veterans and family members, as well as veterans and family members representing New Zealand's involvement in other conflicts and deployments.

The Launch Event was in association with the Ex-Vietnam Services Association and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association

Click here to view the speeches of the Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister, Honourable Phil Goff, Minister of Defence and Chris Mullane, Master of Cermonies.

Click here to view the photos taken at the Launch. You can download the images in hi-res quality directly from the website.

The following launch video clip is courtesy of Maori Television.