PENOLA Vietnam veteran David Strother has reiterated the importance of honouring servicemen, following the 50th anniversary of the death of fallen Vietnam War serviceman David Steen.
Mr Strother and Sapper Steen were called up for service together in April 1967 and completed three months basic training before being sent to different cores for further training.
“I distinctly remember his mop of blonde hair and his distinct accent, having migrated from Falkland Islands with his family in 1960 to live and work in the Penola area,” Mr Strother said.
Spr Steen was killed in action on February 18, 1968, by a mortar that was fired by enemy soldiers.
The serviceman died alongside three other comrades who were sent to observe enemy movements around Fire Base Support Andersen in Bien Hoa province.
Spr Steen was part of a warning patrol selected from Troop 3, Field 1 Squadron of the Royal Australian Engineers.
Mr Strother, vice president of the Coonawarra-Penola Returned and Services League, said it continued to be important to remember significant battles in history and further educate the younger generation, but in no way promote war as a way to settle differences.
Spr Steen attended Penola High School after arriving in Australia and went on to play football with the Penola Football Club.
In honour of Spr Steen, the best and fairest Anzac Day football medal in Penola is named in memory of him and awarded on the Anzac Day weekend.
“This was initiated by the Mount Gambier RSL around 15 or 16 years ago,” Mr Strother said.
Spr Steen’s body was laid to rest in the Penola cemetery.
He was the only Penola serviceman killed in the Vietnam War at 22 years of age, with Mr Strother recalling a large funeral held for the fallen soldier.
With only a handful of war veterans left at the Coonawarra-Penola RSL, Mr Strother said war documentation and commemoration were vital in keeping the history alive.
Life-sized cutouts of South East war veterans – including Spr Steen – are on display at the Coonawarra Penola RSL with history about each of them attached.
“The cutouts are striking and are beneficial for the whole community and family members still left in the region,” Mr Strother said.
