With a proud smile on his face Keith was handed the medal by State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan at her office on Friday.
He was joined by fellow veteran Colin Bermingham who's investigation and persistence helped arrange the the medal.
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“I didn't even know I was supposed to get this medal,” Mr Rayner said.
“It's for my service to the forces, for the National Service I did.
“I'm very proud to get this. There's a lot of people who haven't got theirs.
“I have two grandsons and now I have two medals, so they can have one each one day.”
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The medal presentation was arranged by Benalla's Coling Bermingham - a Vietnam veteran himself.
“We were sitting around the table one day talking about medals, and I asked Keith if he had this one,” Mr Bermingham said.
“Keith said no, what are you talking about?
“So we wrote all his details on a napkin and took it home.
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“I then contacted the CARO, which is the Central Army Records Office - and they confirmed that Keith was due to receive one.”
Ms Ryan said it was an honour to present the medal to Keith and urged other veterans to contact CARO to see if they were eligible for any medals they had not received.
“I think people like Keith have lived often very quietly in the community for decades and people might not not aware of the service that they gave,” Ms Ryan said.
“I think it's important that people who have not received those service medals to think about applying for them.
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“Or they could have someone apply for them so that their service can be recognised by the wider community.
“For example with Keith’s situation, he had to move away from home at a time that was perhaps not easy for his family.
“And that’s a big sacrifice for people, so it's important that we do honour the sacrifice that national servicemen gave during their time in the armed forces.”
● If you think you, or a family member, might be due to receive a medal you can phone the Directorate of Honours and Awards on 1800 333 362 or click here .
If you would like to send a letter to the editor on this, or any subject, click this link
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