NSW: Remains of Vietnam servicemen finally return home

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2009
NSW: Remains of Vietnam servicemen finally return home

The final two missing Australian servicemen from the Vietnam War have been repatriated
at a moving ceremony in Sydney .. ending nearly 40 years of hurt for their families.

The return of their remains to Richmond's RAAF base also ends the final episode of
a painful period in history for Australia.

Flying Officer MICHAEL HERBERT from South Australia .. and Pilot Officer ROBERT CARVER
from Queensland were lost on November 3 1970 while returning from a successful bombing
mission.

Their remains were found in thick jungle near the border of Laos earlier this year.

Officer HERBERTS's brother SHANE HERBERT .. who attended today's repatriation ceremony
.. says this is a very significant day for him.

He says MICHAEL loved flying and was doing what he wanted when he died.

Private funerals will be held later this week for both men in their home towns.

AAP RTV bm/mdg/evt/sw/

KEYWORD: BOMBER (SYDNEY)

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