Veterans remember Vietnam

TORQUAY’S veteran community gathered again this year to commemorate Australian service during the Vietnam War.

The Torquay RSL hosted the Vietnam Veterans Day service on Thursday last week at the Surf Coast Shire’s Vietnam War memorial plaque.

Held in windy conditions, the service comprised readings from Torquay RSL president Bob Tyler, Major Peter Ellis from the Torquay Salvos, and students from Surf Coast Secondary College and Torquay College, as well as the laying of wreaths by veterans and students from local schools.

Vietnam Veterans Day marks the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966 – Australia’s biggest battle since the Korean War – and now recognises all Australian service in Vietnam.

In the battle, 17 Australia were killed and 26 were wounded in the bloody encounter as Delta Company of the 6th Battalion fought its way out of a Viet Cong trap. The three-hour fight was waged in a rubber plantation near Saigon against as many as 1,000 enemy soldiers.

Mr Tyler said this year’s service commemorated the 50th year since the cessation of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War, with the majority of Australian and New Zealand forces being withdrawn in 1972 and hostilities ceasing in January 1973.

“We are gathered here today to honour all those who fought, died and the many who returned who are still suffering the effects of the campaign.

“We especially recognise those from all services including nurses, aid workers and others who served in the war.”

Surf Coast Secondary College school captain Melody Luke said the Vietnam War was the “longest and arguably most divisive military involvement” in Australia’s history.

“It was also the least understood and the most misrepresented.”

Now located just to the north of the council chambers in Torquay North, the memorial plaque was presented to the shire by the Victorian Vietnam Veterans Community on August 18, 2006 in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.