Robert Healy joined the Department of Veterans' Affairs after 20 years in the RAAF.

When Robert Healy says he understands - he does. The Vietnam veteran, who served 20 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, has spent every year since he left the forces helping fellow veterans.

An ex-Flight Sergeant, Mr Healy joined the Department of Veterans' Affairs the day he left the RAAF and after some time in personnel and occupational health and safety, quickly found his niche in commemorations.

In what he describes as a 'very interesting and rewarding' role, Mr Healy works on programs and special projects designed to not only assist veterans in commemorating special events or dates, but to ensure they receive recognition for the important role they played in Australia's military history and the development of Australia as a nation.

'I'm looking after people in a similar situation as myself and it is an advantage, I think, because I do understand their position,' Mr Healy explained. 'There are a lot of really dedicated people in this department, veterans or otherwise - there is a lot of goodwill and empathy for the veteran community, and that's a good thing.'

Mr Healy has spent 11 years in commemorative work. He participated in the pilgrimage by WW I Veterans to France and Belgium in 1993 and was a member of the Australia Remembers Task Force in 1995 which was responsible for the year-long national commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of WW II.

Since 1996 he has worked in the Commemorations Branch which is responsible for numerous widely recognised initiatives as part of the Federal Government's Their Service - Our Heritage commemorative program.

'We have a whole range of commemorative programs and educational programs,' Mr Healy said. 'We have organised commemorative missions to Vietnam, Hellfire Pass and Sandakan, we have created educational kits for things such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, an Australians at War television series is being produced right now and our Memories and Memorabilia program is very successful. We also have a comprehensive program of grants.

'Getting schools to get in touch with veterans and inviting them to visit their schools and talk to children about their experiences is another Commemorations Branch project and it works really well.'

Mr Healy's passion for his job and the veterans he supports is obvious as he talks. 'I really think we can make a difference,' he said.

FSGT Healy and CPL Steve Beutal posed for a photograph in hopes they would make the pages of Air Force News years ago. For reasons not known, they didn't make it!

While he never did get the opportunity to become a professional RAAF photographer as he had dreamed, Mr Healy remembers his Service years with the same enthusiasm. 'It broke my heart the day I left - I was quite happy, but I knew leaving was the right decision to make.

'I loved the Air Force, I really did,' Mr Healy said. 'It's a whole way of life and unless you've actually experienced the forces, well it's really hard to explain to someone else. Of course it's a very controlled way of life - a lot of decisions are made for you and you just have to carry out orders, but it was an interesting life.

'I went to some interesting places and saw some interesting things. I liked working on the aircraft, I love being around aircraft. Even as a little kid I just loved aircraft and I still do. When an aircraft flies over, I'm the only head that looks up. I can't stop myself. I always had a fascination with aircraft and flying and that's why I entered the Air Force in the first place.'

Born in Adelaide, Mr Healy left school early to work and then joined the Air Force at 18 years of age. By his own admission, he wasn't a terrific airframe fitter. However, as he progressed up the ranks he became involved in administration work and discovered his forte.

By the end of his sixth year in the RAAF, Mr Healy was married. Just weeks later he was called to No. 2 Squadron in Vietnam. He did aircraft maintenance on Canberra bombers during a tour which offered only a couple of moments of extreme apprehension.

Other postings included Point Cook, Butterworth, Laverton, Fairbairn and Wagga Wagga. '5SQN at Fairbairn was the best posting I had,' Mr Healy admitted. 'It was a helicopter squadron and there was so much integration between aircrew and ground crew.'

In between his Service duties and raising three children with wife Teresa, Mr Healy managed to complete his Year 12 Certificate at night school. He was even accepted to study law at university, but work restrictions meant he couldn't accept the challenge. Mr Healy made the decision to leave the RAAF in 1984. 'It was just something I thought I had to do - for me and my family,' he said.

And he hasn't looked back since. 'I love my job - it's very interesting and challenging and I hope to continue on in this branch until I retire.' That is just five years away, according to the proud grandfather.

'I'm looking forward to doing all the things I haven't had time to do yet,' he said. 'I could fill my days very easily.' Being a family man, Mr Healy can't wait to have more time for his growing family. 'Family is what it's all about, that's what's important in life,' he said.