The Bathurst RSL Sub Branch will do whatever they can to offer vital support to local veterans of the war in Afghanistan, which ended last week when the Taliban retook Kabul and overthrew the democratically-elected Afghan government.
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Bathurst RSL Sub Branch president David Mills said a host of members who fought in the war are still coming to terms with recent events, as are Vietnam veterans, who have viewed the situation as history repeating.
"We're most concerned about the impact this [the Taliban takeover] will have on servicemen and women who served in Afghanistan, and also our Vietnam veterans who lived through the disastrous withdraw of the country as North Vietnamese troops solidified their hold," Mr Mills said.
"I think they [the Vietnam vets] are seeing a lot of similarities where things could've been planned better."
Australian Defence Force [ADF] personnel were stationed in Afghanistan throughout the entirety of the two-decade war, claiming 41 lives and wounding 261; the first Australian combat deaths since the Vietnam War.
The last ADF personnel departed Afghanistan in late June, six weeks before the Taliban took Kabul.
Despite the global politics that have affected the reputation of the war in Afghanistan, Mr Mills said it's important to recognise the soldier, not the conflict.
"In Australia, we've thankfully been able to separate the warrior from the conflict," he said.
"Regardless of how we view a particular conflict and whether Australia should be involved, we have to support the veteran and their families because, at the end of the day, they simply did their duty."
Mr Mills said the Sub Branch is working to guide veterans affected by the events in Afghanistan towards the support they need.
The Sub Branch has links to RSL DefenceCare, who provide financial, crisis and accommodation assistance, and to the Department of Veterans' Affairs through key military advocates.
Current or former ADF members and their families are able to reach out for counselling or support via the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036, Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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