A memorial service to celebrate and honour the courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the Vietnam War saw almost 50 people gather on Main North Road, Clare on Monday, August 18.
The service, on Vietnam Veterans Day, was attended for the first time by several veterans from the region.
Between 1962 and 1972 more than 5000 Australian servicemen and women served their country in the Vietnam War, where more than 500 lost their lives.
Many more still bear the physical, psychological and spiritual scars of their service.
They came home to no heroes’ welcome or official recognition, either by the government or their people, as previous servicemen and women in the Anzac tradition had done.
The memorial service coincided with the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan which took place on August 18, 1966 and which was chosen for the commemoration of Vietnam Veteran’s Day.
The Rev Mark Thomas led the service and wreaths were placed by Graham Pulford on behalf of the RSL, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Mayor Allan Aughey and Anne Mader on behalf of wives and mothers.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff