The Bathurst community gathered to celebrate Anzac Day last Thursday, and as the war veterans marched their way up to Kings Parade, they were greeted with numerous rounds of applause by the public.
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But for the veterans who returned from the Vietnam War in the 1970s, the reception they received wasn't quite as fruitful.
Bathurst Vietnam War veteran Lyle Orreal was one of many who faced a frosty return from the Australian public on return from the war and at that time, he said the well-being of the returning soldiers fell on deaf ears.
"My battalion marched through Adelaide and while they treated us reasonably well, there were people throwing red paint on our leaders as a sign of protest," Mr Orreal said.
"In addition, the RSL clubs saw us as soldiers who hadn't been in a real war."
"It was a real war, and any soldier who fought in Vietnam will tell you that."
Mr Orreal served as a platoon medic in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, and was involved in Operation Goodwood, a major allied operation that formed part of the Battle of Hat Dich in late 1968 and early 1969.
The battle saw 21 Australians killed and 91 wounded, and Mr Orreal remembers many direct contacts with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces.
"Three days into Operation Goodwood my platoon sergeant, who was a veteran of the Battle of Long Tan, was shot and killed," he said.
"The next day, we had three killed and four wounded, which pretty much set the template for the rest of the operation."
Mr Orreal notably served in the same regiment as Sir Peter Cosgrove, the current Governor-General of Australia.
"The Governor-General was a good bloke and was much like he is today," he said.
Despite being proud of his service in Vietnam, Mr Orreal said that war isn't a pleasant thing, and acknowledged the numbers of soldiers who were left deeply scarred by the experience.
"A lot of soldiers suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and that wasn't recognised for years," he said.
"Coming home to a hostile Australian population didn't make it any easier."
While Vietnam War veterans were finally granted an official 'Welcome Home' parade in 1987, Mr Orreal said the recognition came far too late.
"It was nice to be recognised that we did our bit for Australia but once you're burnt, you're not going to heal in a hurry," he said.
"To me, the wrong that befell returning Australian soldiers from Vietnam can never be made right, but what we can do as a society moving forward is continue to support our soldiers involved in conflicts overseas."
Mr Orreal has been included in a photo display at the Bathurst RSL Club honouring the community's servicemen.
