Vets remember Vietnam
Members of the public joined Vietnam veterans and military representatives at a ceremony held to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan earlier this month.
Between 80 and 100 people gathered at the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley cenotaph for Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18.
The nationally recognised event, paying tribute to those who fought in the Vietnam War, is held in August to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan.
On the same day in 1966, Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought in torrential rain for four hours to defeat more than 2000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops.
Eighteen Australians were killed and 24 were injured.
The local ceremony was attended by several Vietnam veterans, including a visiting man who read the ode.
Kununurra police and Army Reserves were also at the tribute and Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley president John Moulden spoke at the event.
Returned and Services League Kununurra committee member Alison Lee said Vietnam Veterans Day was an opportunity to pay tribute to past and present Australian soldiers.
“The Vietnam veterans see it as an important day for them as much as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day,” she said.
“It is also an opportunity to recognise those people who are still serving.”
