Shoalhaven Vietnam Veterans have gathered to pay their respects to fallen mates in a moving service in Bomaderry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It might have been a couple of months late due to COVID interruptions but the annual Shoalhaven Vietnam Veterans Association commemoration to mark Vietnam Veterans Day was held on Wednesday afternoon (November 3) in Bomaderry.
The Shoalhaven branch had planned to mark the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on August 18 but that service was postponed due to ongoing COVID restrictions.
Shoalhaven branch president Clyde Poulton was determined the event would be held "as soon as possible", once the restrictions had relaxed.
Read more:
"We were never going to cancel, that's for sure," Mr Poulton said.
"We had not missed a commemorative service in 40 years and we weren't about to start now."
A crowd of around 50 gathered at Walsh Park in Bomaderry for the commemorative service, with the Shoalhaven Air Force Cadets providing the catafalque party.
Keynote speaker was chair of the board of RSL NSW and well-known Shoalhaven resident, Sophie Ray.
"We gather to pause and reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance of all Australians who fought for their country from 1962 to 1973," she said.
"This year COVID made it difficult to come together to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans, so we found other ways of connecting, over the phone or by social media.
We honour the 521 Australians who lost their lives during battle in Vietnam and the 3000 who were wounded, ill or injured or those who still carry the physical or emotional scars of their service over 50 years later.
- Chair of the board of RSL NSW Sophie Ray.
"Today we honour the 521 Australians who lost their lives during battle in Vietnam and the 3000 who were wounded, ill or injured or those who still carry the physical or emotional scars of their service over 50 years later."
August 18, which was originally Long Tan Day, commemorates the efforts of 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought a pitched battle against over 2000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops at a rubber plantation not far from the small village of Long Tan -18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded.
The bravery displayed by D Company was recognised with the United States Presidential Unit Citation, only the third time an Australian Army unit had received such a significant honour.
"Many of you were young, many just out of school when you joined the Australian army, navy or airforce before travelling to Vietnam," Mrs Ray said.
"In a short time you went from being boys to men and from young girls to women, finding yourselves or your loved ones in one of the most polarising conflicts of our nation's history."
She described how Australia "stepped out from under the cloak of the British empire" and fought alongside "its new brothers in arms the United States of America and its mates from New Zealand".
"At home the mood about the war was shifting and was losing political support," she said "the level of support Australians showed towards their fathers and grandfathers who fought in World War 1 and II and Korea started to wane for the troops who were facing a new type of war closer to home.
"Most of you returned home to demonstrations and conflict and felt alienated by your communities and the RSL and it wasn't until 1987 that your service was publicly acknowledged with a welcome home march," Mrs Ray said.
"This time of reflection is an important reminder that there are now many generations that have fought to protect our country and the RSL must ensure that it must look after them.
"It pains all of us on the board of RSL NSW to think that any veteran of a conflict since Vietnam has not found the connection or support they need from the RSL.
"Although, sadly we know it to be true.
"Today and every day, whether we are RSL members, members of other ex-service organisations, members of veteran families or general community members we must support our veterans, regardless of which services, war, conflict or peacekeeping mission they were involved in."
She outlined the RSL's plan to ensure the support of veterans and families and that includes the establishment of a Veterans Wellbeing Centre which will be established in the Shoalhaven.
"As a passionate Shoalhaven local, I'm so proud the centre, which is a collaboration between RSL NSW, partner charity RSL Lifecare and many other local ex-service organisations, is being established in Nowra, and is now recognised as a model for other veteran wellbeing centres to be rolled out around NSW."
The next centre is about to open in Wagga, with discussions to establish four other such centres across NSW.
She surged all to visit the centre to find out of the services it provides, with all veteran services located under the one roof.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Sign up to our new daily newsletters