BALLINA RSL Club will host Vietnam Veterans Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph and lunch on Monday, August 18.<\/p>\n
It will be run by the RSL sub-branch and bring together current and ex-service personnel from 11am.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“There were around 18 wounded and 24 killed, and it was one of the biggest battles they had over there.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The battle took place in 1966, with almost 60,000 Australians serving in the war.<\/p>\n
“A lot of the guys came back struggling and we didn’t have that mental health support back then,” Mr Tanner said.<\/p>\n
“It affected families and it’s still an ongoing issue for people today.<\/p>\n
“I have a huge amount of respect for the Vietnam cohort and what they went through.”<\/p>\n
Tickets are available at ballinarsl.com.au or in person at the club.<\/p>\n
Sub-branch members can attend for $10, and non-members for $25.<\/p>\n
The event is open only to veterans and their families.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n