Today is Vietnam Veterans’ Day and marks 54 years since the fierce Battle of Long Tan.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan joined Nambucca Valley RSL Sub Branch members to lay a wreath at the Nambucca Cenotaph today to honour the 60,000 Australians who served during the Vietnam War.
“Today is a day to remember the service and sacrifice of those 60,000 Australians who served in Vietnam and the 521 Australians who tragically lost their life during this conflict,” he said.
“On 18 August 1966 Australian soldiers fought in one of their fiercest battles during the entire Vietnam War, the Battle of Long Tan, a brutal conflict that saw 18 Australians killed and 25 wounded.
“Toward the end of the war the Royal Australian Air Force undertook flying humanitarian missions.
“Vietnam veterans continue to make a valuable contribution to our communities through the support service Open Arms and other charitable pursuits.
“I encourage all Australians to acknowledge and honour our Vietnam veterans today for their important service and sacrifice for our country.”
Nambucca RSL Sub-Branch President Mick Birtles DSC said while the branch’s traditional public march and service could not go ahead this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, veterans still came together in small groups to recognise the important milestone.
“It is important to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day because many of our veterans received a cold shoulder from the nation when they originally returned home in the 1970s,” Mr Birtles said.
“Many Vietnam veterans were spurned and some were made to feel ashamed of something they should have been incredibly proud of. Thankfully, due to the determination of veterans and their families, the nation has reflected on this ingratitude and the negative perception of this war has been reversed.
“Two actions which have exemplified this are the Welcome Home Parade in October 1987 and the construction of the Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra in 1992.”
Mr Birtles said Vietnam veterans have been instrumental in helping Australians and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to better understand the mental wounds war can inflict on some servicemen and women. And they have also given back so much to the community. For example, Vietnam veterans helped to establish the counselling service now known as Open Arms, which last year supported more than 30,000 veterans and their family members.
Vietnam veterans also set up the Long Tan Bursary, a program that provides education support to the children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans, helping them gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue their chosen career. Applications for the 2021 Bursary are currently open and eligible descendants of our Vietnam veterans can apply online here.
