RSL Club service to honour Vietnam veterans and families

BALLINA RSL Club will host Vietnam Veterans Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph and lunch on Monday, August 18.

It will be run by the RSL sub-branch and bring together current and ex-service personnel from 11am.

“It’s an important day and fitting that it coincides with the Battle of Long Tan anniversary,” Ballina RSL sub-branch president Jamie Tanner said.

“There were around 18 wounded and 24 killed, and it was one of the biggest battles they had over there.

“The day gives us an opportunity to not only reflect on their service, but the battle they had with the government when they got home for their entitlements.

“It was a different kind of conflict in Vietnam, and they paved the way for future soldiers and improved how the next generation would be treated.”

Tanner said local reverends Richard Brown and Graeme Davis were involved in the Battle of Long Tan and he hopes both will attend the event.

The battle took place in 1966, with almost 60,000 Australians serving in the war.

“A lot of the guys came back struggling and we didn’t have that mental health support back then,” Mr Tanner said.

“It affected families and it’s still an ongoing issue for people today.

“I have a huge amount of respect for the Vietnam cohort and what they went through.”

Tickets are available at ballinarsl.com.au or in person at the club.

Sub-branch members can attend for $10, and non-members for $25.

The event is open only to veterans and their families.