PERSISTENT wind and rain cleared momentarily as around 50 people gathered at the Vansittart Park Soldiers Memorial on Saturday afternoon to honour national Vietnam Veterans Day.
Led by the Mount Gambier Community Returned and Services League, the service was an opportunity to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of the men and women who served during the Vietnam War.
Wreaths were placed on the memorial by veterans, the RSL and local dignitaries.
This year’s National Vietnam Veterans Day marked the 52nd anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
“The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest military engagement of the 20th Century with almost 60,000 Australians serving during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972,” Veterans’ Affairs Minister Darren Chester said.
“Each year on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Australia commemorates all those who served in the Vietnam War, including the more than 500 Australians who lost their lives.
“We acknowledge and honour all who served in Vietnam during 10 years of war and we honour the veterans who have lost their lives in the years since they returned, those who still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service and the families that have stood by them.”
The Battle of Long Tan was one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War, with 17 Australians killed in action and a further 25 wounded.
One of the wounded soldiers died a few days later.
Mr Chester also paid tribute to the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service – now known as the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service – which provides specialised mental health and support services to all veterans and their families.
