Locals pay tribute on Vietnam Veterans Day

ABOUT 200 people turned out for the national commemoration of Vietnam Veterans Day in Queenscliff at the weekend.

The March and Service on Saturday paid tribute to all servicemen and servicewomen who served the nation in time of war – both Conscripted National Service and regulars who were deployed and fought in Vietnam – together with all the families who have supported them.

Local Vietnam Veteran Graham Christie said the event attracted an excellent turnout, with a large March Party, and many veterans attended from the Bellarine and Geelong.

During the Order of Service, Mr Christie said the Vietnam War tested the moral fibre of the nation, but it never weakened the discipline, the mateship nor the courage of our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen, our nurses.

“Be they career regulars or National Service Conscripts – they were the very best defenders thiscountry could ever produce,” he said.

“They together with our current defence forces and our Community First Responders proudly stand on the spiritual shoulders of giants – the heroes of our past – all of whom have fought and still fight so that the Nations of Australia, New Zealand and their citizen’s retain the solemn rights to peace, freedom, justice and the pursuit of happiness.”

Mounted police were LSC Craig Holstein on Houdini and LSC Jodie Galway on Xavier, prior to five local students receiving flags to lead the march behind the police and the piper.