Join RSL Subbranch Members Young and cadets at 11 am Anderson Park on Sunday, August 18 to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day.
The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest military engagement of the 20th Century.
The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 and 1972 marked the start of Australia’s involvement. Tragically, 523 of them died and 3000 were wounded.
The Battle of Long Tan was a significant moment in Australia’s war in Vietnam. On August 18, 1966, in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, Australian soldiers fought one of their fiercest battles of the war.
The men of Delta Company, 6ths Battalion Royal Australian Regiment faced a force of some 2000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops.
The battle was fought in wet and muddy conditions during a heavy tropical downpour.
By the end of the day, 17 Australians had been killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom died a few days later.
This was the largest number of casualties in a single operation since the Australian Taskforce had established its base at nearby Nui Dat the previous April.
On this day, we commemorate all the battles fought by Australians in Vietnam, from large-scale operations to platoon and section-level encounters.
We remember the sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who supported land operations, and members of the Royal Australian Air Force who served in combat and transport roles. August 18 is a day to say “thank you” to our Vietnam veterans.
On Vietnam Veterans Day, we pause and reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance that Australians displayed throughout the war.
**We honour those veterans who: **
- Lost their lives during battle;
- Returned home wounded, ill or injured;
- Lost their lives in the years since they returned; and
- Still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service.
We also pause to reflect on the impact of service on veterans’ families.
Everyone is welcome to attend the service at Anderson Park on Sunday, August 18 from 11 am.
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