The commemoration of the battle of Long Tan drew hundreds of people to the shores of Batemans Bay On August 18.
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The 50th anniversary celebration comes at a time when returned servicemen and women are experiencing a terrible toll.
The mental health of those who have served in conflict zones has become a matter of huge concern, as the suicide rate grows.
Moruya firefighters have joined the effort to push up awareness of post traumatic stress disorder – by doing push ups.
Moruya Fire and Rescue Deputy Captain Rod Phillips got involved for family reasons.
He was nominated by his brother Robert, an Australian Army Reservist who served in Malaysia, and another brother who served in East Timor.
This week, also, a South Coast veteran made a moving tribute to his wife, which has gone viral on Facebook.
Ash Wilke (pictured) praised his wife's courage in supporting him through mental illness.
In the words of Fairfax reporter Jessica McInerney, Ash joined the army in 2009 “to defend his country and secure his family’s future”.
In 2012 he was deployed to Afghanistan, a trip that would change him forever.
Since his return the now 32-year-old has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and debilitating panic attacks.
After a bad episode landed Ash in hospital for five days, he turned to the internet to let the world know about his ‘amazing’ wife, Ella, without whom he is certain he would not be here.
“Without her, I probably would have killed myself by now,” he said.
Ash’s details his wife’s support through periods of self-harm, alcoholism and problems with his mental health.
“I wrote it after having an extreme episode,” he said. “At about 8pm I started having a bad panic attack. It lasted for hours and hours. I tend to black out and I lose bodily function.
“I came to and I was naked in the bath and I'd vomited all over myself. I yelled out to my wife and she came in, washed me off and gave me some of the medication I take to help with the panic.
“But nothing works, so I had to go into hospital where they gave me stronger stuff.”
That’s why the current campaign matters.
Full story www.batemansbaypost.com.au
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