Members of the California Cadet Corps and Southeast Asia Army Security Veterans Association, or Old Spooks and Spies, arrived in Launceston on Saturday from the United States.

RSL Tasmanian Centenary of Armistice coordinator Brian Watson was first in line on the tarmac at Launceston Airport to greet the new arrivals, including an old friend.

Mr Watson and Old Spooks and Spies secretary Gene Richert both served during the Vietnam War.

“Gene and I have known each other a long, long time,” Mr Watson said. 

“The experiences overseas have always been hard to deal with, but, we’re all home.”

“We both served in Vietnam in different places, and had different experiences,” Mr Richert said.

“Everybody did. It’s become a part of our life.”

The guests were off their flight to a band playing both Waltzing Matilda and the Star-Spangled Banner 

“That has never happened before in my life, so that was quite impressive,” Mr Richert said.

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“I’ve always felt welcomed here, every time I come.”

Mr Richert said he was impressed with the memorials Australia had put in place to honour the losses incurred in WWI.

“I’m positive that the celebration here in Australia will be much bigger than in the United States, so I’m looking forward to this,” he said.

“We weren’t in the war for very long, and it just isn’t as important in the US as it is here.”

Mr Watson said two more groups from the US would arrive on November 5 and 8.

The whole group will attend the Northern Midlands RSL Sub-Branch’s Centenary of Armistice ceremony at Longford’s village green on November 11.

“It’s extremely special, especially as we’ve got the United States Marines arriving for the very first time in Tasmania ever,” he said.

“People should realise that that area, particularly from Evandale, came Australia’s most decorated soldier ever, lieutenant Harry Murray.

“It’s a very big moment there for us to commemorate the end of World War One.”

The service will also be attended by Governor Kate Warner and the vice consul of the United States.