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Vietnam Veterans Day and the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan
Today is Vietnam Veterans’ Day when Australia honours the service and sacrifice of nearly 60,000 men and women who served in the Vietnam War.
Australians served in Vietnam from 1962 until 1975, where 521 people lost their lives and more than 3,000 were wounded.
August 18, 2016 is also the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers in Vietnam, involving 105 Australians and three New Zealanders from D Company 6RAR.
In the battle, a total of 17 Australians were killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom later died of his wounds. D Company were greatly assisted by an ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters, close fire support from New Zealand’s 161 Field Battery, together with additional artillery support from the Australian task force base at Nui Dat and the arrival of reinforcements in APCs as night fell.
A public National Service will be held today at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial, Canberra, attended by the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and more than 400 veterans.
As part of the commemorations, aircraft from the Vietnam era, including a USAF B-52 bomber, a C-130J, a HARS Caribou, DC3, UH-1 Iroquois, Sioux, Cessna 0-2 and Cessna Bird Dog, will fly over Parliament House then along Anzac Parade and over the Australian War Memorial at 10am.
Four artillery guns manned by members from 103 and 105 Australia Batteries, 161 New Zealand Battery and a United States Army gun crew will fire a salute from Rond Terrace on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said the men and women who served in Vietnam were worthy custodians of the Anzac tradition.
“On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we should reflect on the sacrifice and experiences of the Australians who served their country in Vietnam,” Mr Tehan said.
“The bravery, tenacity and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Long Tan has come to symbolise Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
“Today we honour and commemorate every single Australian who served in Vietnam, and we use this as an opportunity to reflect on that period of our history and to say ‘thank-you’ to our veterans for their service.”
The names of 521 personnel will be read from the Vietnam Honour Roll at the Australian War Memorial at 5.30am, followed by a Stand-to Service at the Stone of Remembrance on the Memorial’s Parade Ground at 7am and a Breakfast in the Park for Vietnam veterans supported by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the ACT Government.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia and the role it played in the establishment of a dedicated counselling service to meet the needs of veterans and their families.
“It was the Association’s efforts during the difficult period following the Vietnam War that resulted in the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service, now known as the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS).
“VVCS is a legacy of Australia’s Vietnam veterans — because of their efforts veterans around Australia can access specialised mental health and support services.”
Media enquiries:
Minister Tehan’s Office: Byron Vale 0428 262 894
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203